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THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES. 


FEAI^K 

AT DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


BY 

HARRY CASTLEMON,-^>^^'^^ 

Al’TnOIl OF “ THE GUN-BOAT SERIES,’' “ ROLLING-STONE SERIES,” ETC. 

n . 


WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, 
> ^ \ > 



CINCINNATI: 

R. W CARROLL & CO., PUBLISHERS, 

117 WEST FOURTH STREET, 

1871 . 


TZi 

.r^gfo 

Fao- 

POPULAR JUVENILE BOOKS. 

By harry CASTLEMON. 


THE GTJJ^-BOAT SERIES. 


6 volumes, in a neat box, - . . $7.50 

^ Each volume handsomely Illustrated, 

Frank, the Young Naturalist, . . , $1.25 

Frank in the Woods, 1.25 

Frank on the Prairie, 1.25 

Frank on a Gun-eoat, 1.25 

Frank before' Vicksburg, 1.25 

Frank on the Lower Mississirn, . . 1.25 


Sent by mail, on receipt of price, post-paid. 


THE ROLLIJVG-STOE'E SERIES. 


3 volumes, in a neat box, $4.50 

Each volume handsomely Illustrated, 

, g . Tom Newcombe, $1.50 

Go Ahead, 1.50 

r\i.v 4-® No Moss, ‘ . 1.50 


Sent by mail, on receipt of price, post-paid. 


THE ROCICr MOUJ^TAIH SERIES. 

3 volumes, in a neat box, $3.75 

Each volume handsomely illustrated. 

Frank Among the Ranciieros, . . . $1.25 
Frank at Don Carlos’ Rancho, . . . 1.25 
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S6nt by mail, on receipt of price, post-paid. 


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 
R. W. CARROLL & CO., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER I. PAOB 

All abovit Horses, 5 

CHAPTER II. 

About Bears, 22 

CHAPTER III. 

A Strange Story, . 32 

CHAPTER IV. 

“Old Davy,’» 48 

CHAPTER V. 

A Running Fight, , 61 

CHAPTER VI. 

Don Carlos’ Rancho, 76 

^ CHAPTER VII. 

A Heavy Reward 96 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Archie Learns Something, 113 

CHAPTER IX. 

Archie and Beppo, 127 

(iii) 


IV 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER X. PAGE 

Archie Makes a Bold Dash, 144 

CHAPTER XI. 

A Companion in Trouble, 161 

CHAPTER Xn. 

Frank’s Adventures, 178 

CHAPTER XIII. 

An Old Acquaintance, 197 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Don in Trouble, . 216 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Bridge gf Clouds, ......... 232 

CHAPTER XVI. 

A Race in the Dark, 249 


CHAPTER XVII. 


Conclusion. 


265 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


CHAPTEK I. 

ALL ABOUT HOESES. 

A ECHIE WINTERS found that he had been 
mistaken in the opinions he had formed 
concerning life in California. When he first 
arrived at his uncle’s rancho, he had declared 
that the fun and excitement were all over, and 
that he and Frank were destined to drag out a 
weary, monotonous existence until the time came 
for them to return home. But Arthur Vane, 
with the assistance of Pierre Costello and his 
band, had made things exceedingly lively for 
him and Frank, and now they were both will- 
ing to acknowledge that they had had much 
more than they wanted of perilous adventure. 

( 5 ) 


6 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Tlie time never hung heavily on their hands, 
for there was always something interesting going 
on. First, Dick Thomas returned from San 
Francisco, and he and Johnny Harris became 
constant visitors at Mr. Winters’s rancho. Then 
came several unsuccessful hunts after a grizzly 
bear, which persisted in breaking into the 
cow-pen every night, and finally an incident 
happened that brought about a long string of 
adventures, and raised Frank and Archie higher 
than ever in the estimation of the settlers. On 
the morning on which we introduce them, they, 
together with Johnny and Dick, were gathered 
in a room in Mr. Winters’s rancho — the same 
room in which Frank had had one of those 
memorable encounters with the highwayman — 
talking the matter over. 

The boys were in a state of siege. Every 
opening, except the port-holes, through which 
a breath of air might find its way in to them, 
was closed, and the room was as hot as an oven. 
They were perspiring like butchers; but not 
one of them thought of throwing open a door 
or window. Frank was stretched out on the 
bed, drumming on his guitar ; Archie was walk- 


ALL ABOUT HOESES. 


7 


ing res-tlessly up and down the floor, thrashing 
his boots with his riding wdiip; Dick Thomas 
was looking up at the pictures on the walls; 
and Johnny Harris was standing with his face 
close to one of the port-holes, fanning himself 
vigorously with his hat. Silence reigned in 
the room, broken only by the crack of Archie’s 
whip, and light footsteps outside the door, with 
which were occasionally mingled low angry 
growls, and the rattling of a chain, l^one of 
the boys had spoken during the last ten min- 
utes ; and that, to those who knew them, would 
have been sufficient evidence that they were 
thinking about something exciting. 

Frank,” said Archie, at last, why do n’t 
you stop that noise ? I do n’t see how you can 
lie there and pound on that thing. One would 
think you were making merry over our misfor- 
tune.” 

Frank very good-naturedly laid down the 
obnoxious guitar, and placing his hands under 
his head, looked at Archie as if waiting to hear 
what he had to say next. 

I would do something desperate, if I only 
had half a chance,” continued the latter, shak- 


8 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


ing his fist in the air, and flourishing his whip 
about so recklessly that Dick retreated into a 
corner, out of his reach. If I had those vil- 
lains here I ’d — I ’d” 

O, take it easy,” said Frank. I do n’t 
see the use of making any fuss about it, for the 
mischief has been done, and we can’t help it.” 

Take it easy ! ” repeated Archie, in disgust, 
^Diow can I? It would provoke any body in 
the world, except you, and you never get pro- 
voked at any thing. I do n’t believe you are 
even sorry.” 

Y es, I am. I feel as badly about it as you 
do. I would not have lost Eoderick for five 
hundred dollars. He carried me many a mile, 
and I owned him so long that I had become 
greatly attached to him. He was the swiftest 
and best trained horse in the settlement.” 

Except mine,” returned Archie, quickly. 

Would your horse walk on his hind legs, or 
pick up your hat or whip for you? Mine 
would; and if Eoderick was not once badly 
beaten by him in a fair race, no horse was ever 
beaten in the world.” 

Frank and Archie, as we know, had been 


ALL ABOUT HOESES. 


9 


rivals from their earliest boyhood, and now they 
had enthusiastic opponents in Johnny and Dick. 
Each one insisted that he owned the best horse, 
the best dog, and the best gun; and that he 
could beat the others at riding, running, jump- 
ing, wrestling, and throwing the lasso. They 
all made loud boasts, claiming superiority in 
every boyish accomplishment, but that was done 
merely for sport ; for each of them knew that, 
in some things, he was a long way behind the 
others. The honors were about equally divided, 
the extra ones falling to the lot of Frank Nel- 
son. He was the strongest fellow, the swiftest 
runner, the best shot with a rifle or revolver, 
and wonderfully expert in wrestling. Johnny 
Harris had once ridden a wild mustang, which 
was so vicious and unruly that none of the 
other boys could be induced to mount him, and 
consequently he was the champion horseman. 
Archie was the best jumper, and, until within 
a few days, had owned a horse that was equal 
to any trick pony the boys had ever seen in a 
circus. Archie’s whole soul was wrapped up 
in that horse, for he was the only one that had 
ever beaten Roderick in a fair race. Dick 


10 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Thomas was the happy possessor of a pack of 
splendid hounds, and could boast that he never 
missed his mark with the lasso. He had been 
a formidable rival for Archie in jumping, and 
for Frank in shooting and running; but had, 
at last, been compelled to give up the contest, 
and acknowledge himself beaten. 

Frank and Archie were in great trouble — 
they had lost their horses. The animals had 
gone the way a good many other chargers had 
gone during the last three weeks, for nearly 
every farmer in that neighborhood had to mourn 
the loss of some favorite nag, which had dis- 
appeared, and left no trace behind. Every one 
said that there was an organized band of horse- 
thieves around ; but who they were, or what 
they did with their booty, could not be ascer- 
tained. Large rewards had been offered; the 
ranches had been patrolled of nights; the set- 
tlers had turned out to a man, and searched 
every nook and corner of the mountains they 
could get at; but, in spite of all their vigilance, 
valuable horses were stolen every night, and no 
traces could be discovered of them or the rob- 
bers. The settlers seemed to have given up all 


ALL ABOUT HOESES. 


11 


hopes of ever bringing the guilty parties to 
justice; for now, when a horse was missing, 
there was nothing done, and but little said 
about it. There was no blowing of horns, and 
gathering of armed men, as had been the case 
a few days before. The farmers smiled, said that 
misery loved company, and seemed to think no 
more about the matter; but they were wide 
awake, and every man was watching his neigh- 
bor. Mr. Winters had been a heavy loser, and 
now Frank and ArcEie had come in for a share 
of the trouble. Eoderick and King James 
(that was the name of the horse that had taken 
the place of Sleepy Sam in Archie^s affections) 
were gone, and of course the boys were highly 
indignant. One thing that made Archie so 
angry was the fact that no one, except Johnny 
and Dick, seemed to sympathize with him. 
Frank played lively tunes on his guitar, and 
advised him to ^Hake it easy,^^ while Uncle 
James, when Archie reported his loss to him, 
poked him in the ribs with his finger, and said : 
^^Aha! now you can have the pleasure of going 
afoot, like the rest of us.’^ 

There was no danger that the boys would be 


12 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


obliged to go afoot. There were plenty of fine 
horses on the ranch, and Dick and old Bob, 
and half a dozen other Eancheros, were ready 
and willing to capture and break any nag they 
might select ; but was there a Roderick or a 
King James among all these horses ? The lost 
steeds were regarded by their young owners as 
perfect specimens of their species. They were 
so intelligent that they could be taught any 
thing that horses ever learned ; so swift that 
nothing in the settlement could keep pace with 
them; so restless and fiery that they would 
never stand still long enough for their masters 
to be fairly seated in the saddle; and yet so 
docile that they could be managed, and driven 
any where, without a bridle. Were there any 
horses on the rancho that possessed all these good 
qualities ? The boys were sure there were not. 

We must stop here long enough to tell how 
Archie came by his horse, and why he gave him 
that odd name. 

We have spoken of Captain Porter, an old 
fur-trader, who owned a rancho a few miles dis- 
tant from the one belpnging to Mr. Winters. 
He was a fleshy, jolly old gentleman, who al- 


ALL ABOUT HORSES. 


13 


ways took a great deal of interest in every thing 
the boys did, and listened to the stories of their 
adventures with as much good nature as he 
exhibited in relating his own. Having lived 
on the frontier from his earliest boyhood, he 
had seen a world of excitement and adventure ; 
and the easy way he had of recounting his ex- 
ploits over his after-dinner pipe, proved an 
attraction too strong to be resisted by the boys, 
who scarcely allowed a day to pass without a 
visit to his rancho. They had a happy faculty 
of making friends wherever they went ; and it 
was not long before the old fur-trader began to 
show that they held a prominent place in his 
estimation. He presented Frank with Mar- 
mion, the’ dog which had done him such good 
service in his encounters with Pierre Costello, 
and shortly afterward he treated Archie in a 
still more handsome manner. 

One day the cousins rode over to dine with 
the captain, and while on the way, Archie, who 
could never be persuaded to acknowledge that 
Eoderick was a swifter horse than Sleepy 
Sam, challenged Frank to a trial of speed. The 
race came off, and Archie, as usual, was badly 


14 


DON CARI.OS’ RANCHO. 


beaten. When Frank dismounted at the cap- 
tain’s door, his cousin was not in sight. 

Where’s the little one?” asked the fur- 
trader, who was seated on the porch, enjoying 
his long Indian pipe. 

He is coming,” replied Frank. “ Whenever 
he is on horseback he can’t be easy unless he 
is racing with somebody,” he added, to explain 
how he came to leave him so far behind. 

And do you always beat him?” 

Always. He grumbles and scolds about it 
at a great rate, but it does n’t seem to help the 
matter any. He has tried every horse on un- 
cle’s rancho, too ; but has never been able to 
find one that can beat Roderick.” 

The captain settled back in his chair, and 
looked at the mustang as he was^ being led 
away by one of the Rancheros; and, when 
Archie came up, trying to smile, but looking 
rather crestfallen over his defeat, he winked at 
him, and nodded his head in a very significant 
manner. Neither of the boys knew what he 
meant ; but Archie found out when dinner was 
over, for then the trader drew him aside, and 
held a whispered consultation with him. Frank 


ALL ABOUT HORSES. 


15 


regarded them both with suspicion, and when 
Archie looked at him, and wrinkled up his 
nose, and made other mysterious signs, he be- 
came satisfied that they were getting up some 
sort of a conspiracy. Nothing was said or 
done, however, that threw any light on the 
matter until they were ready to start for home ; 
and then, when their horses were brought out, 
Frank saw that Sleepy Sam was not there. In 
his place was a small, clean-limbed animal, as 
black as midnight, which was pawing the 
ground, and jumping about as if impatient to 
be off. While Frank stood looking at him, and 
admiring his fine points, Archie seized the bri- 
dle, and sprang into the saddle. 

Hallo ! ’’ exclaimed his cousin, who now 
thought he understood the meaning of the mys- 
terious winks and whisperings, ^^who owns 
that horse 

^^He belongs to the subscriber,’^ replied Ar- 
chie, highly elated. 

He is a fine-looking animal, but I do n’t 
know what you are going to do with him.” 

Do n’t you? Well, jump into your saddle 
and I ’ll show you. He was presented to me 


16 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


by Captain Porter, on condition that I make 
him beat that ugly-looking mustang of yours; 
and I am going to do it.” 

It is n’t my style to allow a challenge like 
that to pass unnoticed,” said Frank, as he 
mounted Koderick. Hold on ! Do n’t be in 
such a hurry. Come back here, and give me a 
fair chance.” 

The boys had a good deal of trouble in get- 
ting started, for Archie showed a disposition to 
jockey k” His expectations had been raised 
to the highest pitch by the captain’s glowing 
description of the black’s wonderful speed, but 
he knew what Roderick could do, and he did 
not intend to allow his cousin to get the start 
of him by so much as an inch. In order to 
prevent that, he managed to keep a little in 
advance of Frank. But at last, after several 
false starts, they got off together, and the trader 
witnessed a race that was worth going miles 
to see. He entered heartily into the sport, 
clapping his hands, and shouting and laughing 
at the top of his voice; and when the rivals 
had passed out of sight of the rancho, he re- 
turned to his seat, his face all wrinkled up with 


ALL ABOUT HORSES. 


17 


smiles, and his fat sides shaking with suppressed 
mirth. 

Archie had not overrated the powers of his 
horse. He took the lead at the start, and, what 
was more, increased it at every jump. For half 
a mile he went at an astonishing rate, carrying 
his rider faster than he had ever traveled before 
on horseback ; but then the furious pace began 
to tell on him, and the mustang, which was 
good for a three-mile race at any time, gained 
rapidly. Archie, who had kept one eye over 
his shoulder all the while, noticed this, and 
knowing that Koderick^s long wind would bring 
him out winner, if the race continued much 
farther, pulled up his horse and stopped. 

^^JSTow see here,^’ exclaimed Frank, ^^this is 
not fair.^’ 

What is n’t ? ” asked his cousin, innocently. 

Why, to give up the race when I begin to 
gain on you. Come on ; this question is n’t 
decided yet.” 

I think it is,” replied Archie. I am en- 
tirely satisfied. Did n’t I keep ahead of you 
for half a mile?” 

^^Yes, but I want to explain.” 

2 


18 


DON CAKLOS’ EANCHO. 


fellow wlio is beaten always wants to 
make some excuses or explanations. I have 
beaten you fairly. I own the swiftest horse in 
the settlement, thanks to Captain Porter, and 
I have just thought of an appropriate name 
for him. The genuine Roderick, the rebel your 
horse is named after, had things all his own 
way for a while, but met his equal, at last, in 
King James, who whipped him in a fair fight. 
Your Roderick has found his match now, and 
I do n’t know any better name for the gallant 
little nag that has beaten him, than King 
James. That is what I shall call him.” 

Frank had boasted loudly of the mustang’s 
victories over Sleepy Sam, and now Archie paid 
him back in his own coin*. It was of no use 
for him to say that he would not acknowledge 
himself beaten — that Roderick was a long- 
winded ” horse, and that in a race of three miles 
he would leave the black one- third of the dis- 
tance behind — for Archie would not listen ; nor 
could he be induced to consent to another trial 
of speed. He was very proud of his victory, 
and loved every glossy hair of the little horse 
which had vanquished the hitherto invincible 


ALL ABOUT HOUSES. 


19 


Hoderick. But now he was gone. He was in 
the hands of some unknown thieves, who had 
entered the stable durirg the night, and made 
off with him and the mustang. The robbers 
must have known something about the merits 
of the two horses, for there were several other 
fine animals in the stable, but they were the 
only ones taken. The loss fell heavily on the 
boys, for they had expected to ride those horses 
to the head- waters of the Missouri during the 
coming autumn. Captain Porter was getting 
ready to start northward, on one of his annual 
trading expeditions, and Frank and Archie, and 
the two trappers, were to accompany him. It 
was the captain^s intention to spend a few weeks 
in trapping on the Missouri and its tributary 
streams, and, when cold weather came, to go 
into winter-quarters in the mountains. 

The cousins had nearly gone wild with de- 
light when Uncle James decided that they might 
join the expedition, and had looked forward 
with impatience to the day set for the start. 
What splendid sport they would enjoy ! What 
multitudes of beavers and otters they would 
trap ; what havoc they would make among the 


20 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


buffaloes and antelopes ; and what fine oppor- 
tunities they would have to listen to the trap- 
pers’ stories, when they were snug in their 
warm cabin in the mountains, with a fire blaz- 
ing cheerfully on the hearth, while the fierce 
winter was piling up the snow-drifts without ! 
Frank and Archie had often talked of these 
things ; but now the journey across the plains, 
and the excitements attending a winter’s sojourn 
in the mountains, had lost all charms for them. 
Indeed, during the last week, Archie had re- 
peatedly declared that he would not stir a step. 
If he could not ride King James on the expe- 
dition he would not go ; he would stay at home. 

I can’t see why the farmers do n’t wake up 
and do something,” said Archie, who was so 
deeply engrossed with his troubles that he did 
not notice that he was flourishing his whip in 
unpleasant proximity to his cousin’s ears. If 
they are willing to let their horses go without 
making any attempt to recover them, I am not. 
The thieves are hidden somewhere in the 
mountains — I am sure of that— and if I were 
a man I would not sleep soundly until I had 
found them.” ^ 


ALL ABOUT HORSES. 


21 


It is n’t often that I wish any body harm/’ 
said Frank, ^^but I hope Roderick will throw 
the man who stole him, head over heels, the 
first time he tries to mount him.” 

Look out, fellows ! ” exclaimed Johnny, 
suddenly. 

A heavy tramping was heard in the hall, 
which grew louder as the footsteps approached 
the door. The sound had a strange effect upon 
the boys, for they all uttered exclamations, and 
began running about the room. Frank sprang 
up and perched himself upon the head-board 
of the bed; Dick seized a chair, and thrust it 
out in front of him, as if waiting to receive 
the attack of some enemy ; while Johnny ran 
to one of the windows, and endeavored to open 
the shutters. But the heavy bar, with which 
they were fastened, fitted tightly in its place, 
and seeing that the door of the wardrobe was 
ajar, he squeezed through it, and shut himself 
in. Archie was the only one who stood his 
ground. 


22 


DON CAIILOS RANCHO. 


CIIAPTEE II. 


ABOUT BEARS. 


ECHIE’S actions indicated that he had 



made up his mind to fight something. He 
threw off his hat, pushed back his sleeves, and 
winding the lash of his whip around his hand, 
raised the butt, in readiness to strike. 

If you do n’t want a headache for the rest 
of the day, you had better look out for your- 
self,” exclaimed Frank. You made him very 
angry.” 

Come in here ! ” cried Johnny, from the 
wardrobe. There ’s room enough for another, 
with tight squeezing.” 

I sha’n’t run a step,” replied Archie. I 
am in no humor for nonsense this morning, and 
if Phil comes near me he will wish he had n’t.” 

The door opened at this moment, and in came 
Mr. Winters, Mr. Harris, and Mr. Thomas, all 


ABOUT BEARS. 


23 


booted and spurred, and dusty with fast riding. 
The last named gentleman entered the room in 
a very undignified manner. The instant the 
door was opened, a half-grown bear slipped in 
between his feet, knocking them out from under 
him, and causing him to sit down on the ani- 
maPs back very suddenly. To save himself 
from falling to the floor, Mr. Thomas seized 
the bear’s long hair with both hands, and was 
brought into the room in triumph. 

This bear was the Phil of which Archie had 
spoken, and the enemy that had been keeping 
him and his companions in a state of siege dur- 
ing the last half hour. Archie had done some- 
thing Phil did not like; and he had loitered 
about in the hall, awaiting an opportunity to be 
revenged. Now that he had got into the room, 
he was flerce for a fight ; and the boys, who 
had measured strength with him often enough 
to know that he was a very unpleasant fellow 
to have about when he was angry, thought it 
best to keep out of his way — all except Archie, 
who was in very bad humor, and would have 
held his ground against a dozen Phils. The 
bear, accepting his determined manner and 


24 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


threatening attitude as a challenge to combat, 
rushed straight at him, and in a moment more 
would have held him in a very loving embrace, 
had not Dick seized the chain that was fastened 
to Phil's collar, and brought him to a stand- 
still. 

^^Put the rascal out of doors," said Mr. 
Winters. The first thing you know, he will 
hurt some of you boys." 

But Phil did not give any one a chance to 
put him out. He raised himself on his hind 
legs, tumbling off Mr. Thomas, who measured 
his length on the floor, and disregarding the 
blows which Archie showered upon him with 
his whip, sprang upon him and threw him 
down. 

^^Pull him ofP, fellows," shouted Archie, 
who knew that the punishment was coming 
now. 

Frank jumped down from the head-board, 
Johnny came out of the closet, and both ran 
to assist Dick, who still clung manfully to the 
chain; but before they could reach him, Phil 
gave Archie a ringing slap on each side of his 
head, and made good his retreat from the 


THE BEAR’S REVENGE.— PAGE 24. 




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ABOUT BEAES. 


25 


room. The next that was seen of him, he was 
out in the court trying to start a fight with 
Marmion. 

Phil was a rough play-fellow, but he was 
full of his tricks, always ready for a fight or a 
frolic, and he held a prominent place in the 
affections of the boys, who looked upon him as 
a great institution ; but by every one else on 
the rancho he was regarded as an unmitigated 
nuisance. One great fault with Phil was, that 
he was too much like some young people. He 
always wanted his own way in every thing, and 
if he could not have it, he would grumble and 
go into the sulks. He would wander off by 
himself and pout for hours together, like a 
foolish boy who had been denied something his 
mother thought he ought not to have, sticking 
out his lips after the most approved fashion, 
and growling and scolding to himself at a won- 
derful rate. On these occasions it was not safe 
to venture near him. 

Phil was an expert wrestler and boxer, and 
as long as he could get the better of his antag- 
onist he would keep in excellent humor. He 
would not growl or scratch him with his claws. 


26 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


and would always wait till he got a fair hold 
before he made any attempt to throw him down. 
But when he met his match, as he always did 
whenever he interfered with F rank, there would 
be trouble directly. When Phil found that he 
could not throw him, he would growl and get 
mad; and then there was always a fight or a 
foot-race. The boys generally thought it best 
to run when he was thoroughly aroused, for he 
was considerably larger than a Newfoundland 
dog, his teeth and claws were sharp, his paws 
heavy, and he used them in good earnest. 

Phil was as treacherous as an Indian. When- 
ever a stranger visited the rancho, he would run 
to meet him, rub himself against his legs, turn , 
summersaults for his amusement, and try, by 
every means in his power, to show that he was 
glad to see him ; and all this while he would 
be watching for an opportunity to play a trick 
uj)on him. He would sneak around behind 
him, and if the visitor did not keep his eyes 
open, the first thing he knew his heels would 
fly up, and he would sit down upon the ground 
in a great hurry. 

Another bad trait in Phil’s character was, 


ABOUT BEARS. 


27 


that he never forgot an injury. He always 
avenged a wrong done him, and if he could 
not get at the guilty party, he would take sat- 
isfaction on some one else. Many a time, when 
Frank turned him loose in the morning, was 
he obliged to stand punishment for something 
Archie had done to him the night before. Phil, 
catching him off his guard, would trip him up, 
box his ears, and run off to escape the conse- 
quences; and the next time Frank met him he 
would be as friendly as ever, unless some one 
had been teasing him in the meantime. He 
seemed to cherish unbounded affection for 
Frank (that is, when he was in good humor), 
but he disliked Archie as much as Marmion 
did ; and he had good cause to be angry at 
him oil this particular morning. Archie had 
been unreasonably cross and ugly ever since his 
horse was stolen ; and when the bear came up 
and greeted him in a friendly manner, by put- 
ting his paw on his shoulder, Archie, by taking 
some unfair advantage of him, succeeded, in 
throwing him down, and cramming a handful of 
grass into his mouth ; and that was an indignity 
that Phil would not submit to. He flew into a 


28 


DON CARLOs’ RANCnO. 


terrible rage, and the boys, knowing that some- 
thing unpleasant would happen if Phil suc- 
ceeded in getting his paws on any of them, ran 
into their room, and fastened all the doors and 
windows. The bear followed, and after trying 
in vain to effect an entrance through one of the 
port-holes, took his stand in the hall, and wait- 
ed for them to come out. When Mr. Winters 
and his companions entered the room, he went 
in with them, and squared accounts with Ar- 
chie, by boxing his ears so soundly that he had 
a headache all the rest of the day. 

Uncle James and Mr. Harris laughed at Mr. 
Thomas, and the boys smiled behind their hand- 
kerchiefs. Mr. Thomas made some very un- 
complimentary remarks about bears in general, 
and Phil in particular, and helping himself to 
a chair, resumed the conversation which this 
little incident had interrupted. 

It will be of no use, Mr. Winters,’’ said he, 
^Hor it has been tried already. He has been 
chased with dogs, caught in traps, and shot at 
numberless times; but he is to-day as lively 
and full of mischief as he was a year ago. He 
is bound to die a natural death.” 


ABOUT BEARS. 


29 


Mr. Thomas was speaking of the bear which 
had so often robbed Uncle Jameses cow-pen, and 
after the boys had listened for a few minutes 
to the conversation that followed, they learned 
that this pest had visited the rancho again dur- 
ing the previous night, and walked off with a 
fine calf, for which Mr. Winters had refused a 
hundred dollars a few days before. More than 
that, he had got into a trap which had been 
made especially for him, but had succeeded in 
working his way out. This same trap had 
caught and held two good-sized bears, which 
hadtried their best to escape, but it was not 
strong enough to confine him. He had tum- 
bled the logs about in every direction, and made 
off with the bait with which the trap was set. 

This bear was a well-known character in that 
section of the country — as well known as Mr. 
Winters himself. He was called Old Davy ; ” 
and this name had been given to him to dis- 
tinguish him from a few other old [settlers of 
the same species; but^ these had been killed off, 
one after another, and now Old Davy was left 
alone. Those who had seen him, described him 
as a monster animal, fully as large as two ordi- 


30 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


nary bears. He could be recognized by a large 
bald spot on liis forehead, which was, doubtless, 
the scar of a wound received during some of 
his numerous battles, and his track could be 
distinguished from those of other bears by the 
peculiar shape of the print left by one of his 
hind feet. A portion • of the foot had either 
been shot- away, or lost during a conflict with 
dogs, and the track made by this wounded 
member, showed only the claws and the ball of 
the foot. But this did not interfere with Old 
Davy’s traveling, or his fighting, either. He 
could wander over a good portion of the county 
in a night, and had, more than once, demon- 
strated his ability to whip all the dogs that 
could get around him. Between him and the 
horse-thieves, the farmers had lost many a 
dollar. 

- When Old Davy and his exploits had been 
thoroughly discussed, Mr. Winters told his 
nephews why he had come in there. He was 
on the point of starting for San Diego, to be 
gone three or four days; and he wanted the 
boys to manage affairs during his absence. 

There is not much to be done,” said he, with 


ABOUT BEAES. 


31 


a laugh, ^^but if you can manage to shoot Old 
Davy and catch those horse-thieves while I 
am gone, I should be delighted.^^ 

The boys told themselves that they had not 
the slightest intention of going within a mile 
of Old Davy. If men like Dick Lewis and 
Bob Kelly, who had hunted grizzly bears all 
their lives, could not kill him, they certainly 
had no business with him. And as for the 
horse-thieves, they were, doubtless, a band of 
desperadoes, who used their revolvers or bowie- 
knives upon any one who came in their way, 
and the boys were quite sure that they w^ould 
let them alone also. But, after all, they had a 
good deal to do with the horse-thieves, and with 
Old Davy also. Some exciting events hap- 
pened in the settlement during the next few 
hours, and when Uncle James returned from 
San Diego, he was more astonished than he was 
when he listened to Frank’s story of his first 
encounter with Pierre Costello. 


32 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


CHAPTEK III. 

A STRANGE STORY. 

MOW,” said Archie, when he had seen Un- 
cle James ride off toward San Diego, 
what ’s to be done? It ’s dreadful slow hang- 
ing around the house all the while, and I pro- 
pose that we visit that bear trap. We might 
repair it, you know, and perhaps we can make 
it strong enough to hold Old Davy the next 
time he gets into it.” 

As no objections were raised to this proposi- 
tion, the boys strolled slowly toward the stable, 
where Mr. Winters now kept all his fine rid- 
ing stock, it being unsafe to allow the animals 
to run at large. There was no danger that the 
robbers would get any more horses out of that 
stable, for Dick Lewis and old Bob Kelly had 
taken up their quarters there. Archie thought 
it would have been a good thing for him and 


A STRANGE STORY. 


33 


Frank, if this precaution had been adopted a 
few days before. 

The stable was full of horses, but Frank and 
Archie could not find any to suit them. While 
Johnny and Dick were saddling their nags, 
the cousins, with their bridles in their hands, 
walked slowly up and down the floor, critically 
examining the twenty sleek, well-kept animals 
which were standing quietly in their respective 
stalls ; but they measured every thing by Rod- 
erick and King James now, and none of their 
uncle’s horses were good enough for them. 

I believe I won’t go, fellows,” said Archie, 
at length. I have a good mind to say that I 
will never leave the rancho again, until I get 
my horse back. Will you agree to that, Frank, 
if I will?” 

V. 

No, sir ! ” replied his cousin, quickly. I 
can’t see the use of hurting my nose to spite my 
face. I am going on that expedition with Cap- 
tain Porter this winter, if I have to ride a mule.” 

Well, it beats me that there is no one here 
who can catch those robbers,” said Archie, 
bitterly. ^^Dick Lewis, I have lost all faith 
in you.” 

3 


34 


DON CAELOS’ KANCHO. 


The trapper was seated on a bench beside the 
door, busy at work on a new hunting shirt, 
which, like all the rest of his garments, was 
gaudily ornamented with beads and bright-col- 
ored pieces of cloth. He smiled good-naturedly 
at Archie, but made no reply. 

built my hopes high upon you,” contin- 
ued the latter. ‘^You have spent your life on 
the frontier ; fought all through the Mexican 
war; have shot dozens of grizzly bears and 
Indians; been in numberless scrapes with all 
sorts of desperate characters, and yet you allow 
Old Davy to invade the rancho every night, and 
walk off with some of uncle’s best stock, and 
permit a band of horse-thieves to settle down 
here in our very midst, and carry on their trade 
without a word of protest, ^yhat do you mean 
by it?” 

We have done all we could, little ’un — me 
an’ old Bob have,” replied the trapper. But 
do n’t you know that thar are things movin’ 
around us all the while, that no livin’ man 
can’t foller, ’cause they do n’t leave no trail ? ” 

Of course there are,” said Johnny. Birds, 
for instance.” 


A STRANGE STORY. 


35 


But the birds did n’t steal my horse/’ ex- 
claimed Archie. 

I aint sayin’ they did/’ returned Dick. I 
know well enough that your bosses were stole 
by men, ’cause I seed the prints of their feet 
in front of this yere very door. I know which 
way they went, too, fur me an’ old Bob tracked 
em.” 

^‘You did?” cried Frank. ‘‘Then why 
did n’t you follow them up, and catch them ? ” 

“ ’Cause we could n’t ; that ’s the reason. It ’s 
a leetle the queerest thing I ever hearn tell 
on.” 

“What is?” asked all the boys in a breath. 
They began to get interested and excited now, 
for the trapper’s mysterious manner indicated 
that he had some great secret to communicate. 

“ I haint sartin that I had oughter say any 
thing about it,” replied Dick. “ It ’s some- 
thing I can’t begin to see through, an’ that ’s 
the reason I haint told your uncle of it. You 
’member when Mr. Winters lost them two 
bosses of his’n, don’t you? Wal, the next 
mornin’ me an’ ole Bob tracked ’em nigh onto 
five miles, an’ finally lost their trail about a 


36 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


hundred yards from the creek that flows on 
this side of Don Carlos’ rancho. Thar war the 
prints of their hoofs in the soft ’arth, as plain 
as bar’s ears, an’ thar the trail ended. Now, 
where did them two bosses go to ? That ’s what 
I want to know.” 

Perhaps they turned up or down the creek 
to find a ford,” said Frank. 

They could n’t have done that without leav- 
in’ a trail, could they ? It was a good hundred 
yards to the creek, as I told you, an’ me an’ 
Bob sarehed every ineh of the ground, but 
could n’t find the print of a single hoof.” 

The robbers may have doubled on their 
trail, for the purpose of throwing you ofi* the 
scent,” suggested Johnny. 

I do n’t reckon that men who have hunted 
wild Injuns an’ varmints as long as me an’ 
Bob have, could be fooled by sich a trick as 
that ar’,” replied the trapper. ^^I have since 
found out all about it, youngsters. Them bosses 
did n’t make no more trail ; that ’s the reason 
we could n’t foller ’em.” 

Then, of course, they did n’t go any far- 
ther,” said Dick Thomas. 


A STRANGE STORY. 


37 


^^Yes, they did. They went acrost that 
creek, an’ into Don Carlos’ rancho, an’ never 
touched the ground, nor the water either.” 

Into Don Carlos’ rancho ! ” repeated Archie, 
in great astonishment. 

‘^And never touched the ground!” echoed 
Johnny. *^Were they carried over?” 

Sartinly not. They walked.” 

How could two solid flesh-and-blood horses 
walk a hundred yards without stepping on the 
ground?” asked Frank. 

They could step on something else, could n’t 
they ? They walked on clouds ! ” 

As the trapper said this, he settled back on 
the bench, and looked at the boys, to observe 
the effect this astounding announcement would 
have upon them. He expected them to be 
greatly amazed, and they certainly were. Any 
four boys in the world would have been amazed 
to hear such a declaration fall from the lips of 
a man whom they knew to be strictly truthful, 
and who, moreover, was not jesting, but speak- 
ing in sober earnest. They looked at the trap- 
per a moment, and then at one another, and 
finally Johnny and Dick Thomas burst into a 


38 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


loud laugh ; while- the cousins, who were better 
acquainted with their old friend, thrust their 
hands deep into their pockets with an air which 
said plainly that they did not understand the 
matter at all, and waited patiently for him to 
explain. 

You may believe it or not,” said Dick, ^^but 
it ’s a fact, ’cause ole Bob seed it with his own 
eyes. He watched the hul thing from begin- 
ning to end, and it well-nigh skeered him to 
death.” 

What did he see ? ” asked Frank, growing 
more and more bewildered. I did n’t sup- 
pose that Bob was afraid of any living thing.” 

Nor he aint, nuther,” returned the trapper, 
quickly. But show him something that can’t 
be hurt by a rifle-ball, an’ he ’ll take to his 
heels as quick as any body. As I was sayin’, 
the trail of them two bosses ended thar on the 
bank of that creek, an’ we could n’t find it 
ag’in. Me an’ ole Bob puzzled our heads over 
it fur a long time, an’ we finally made up our 
minds that that ar’ old Spaniard, Don Carlos, 
could tell us all about the matter if he was a 
mind to, an’ Bob said that we would go back 


A STEANGE STOEY. 


39 


the next night, an’ watch his rancho. Wal, 
when the next night come, we could n’t both 
go, ’cause your uncle said he wanted one of us 
to keep an eye on the stables : so I stayed at 
home, an’ ole Bob went alone. He was gone 
about three hours, an’ when he come back I 
seed a sight I never seed afore, an’ one I never 
expect to see ag’in. Ole Bob’s face was as white 
as a Sunday shirt, an’ he was shakin’ all over 
like a man with the ager.” 

What had he seen ? ” repeated Frank, who 
was impatient to get at the bottom of the mys- 
tery. 

Easy, easy, youngster, I ’m cornin’ to that,” 
replied Dick. Now, I ’ve knowed ole Bob 
ever since I was knee-high to a duck, an’ I ’ve 
been with him in more ’n a hundred fights with 
Injuns, an’ Greasers, an’ varmints — sometimes, 
too, when we jest did get away with our ha’r, 
an’ that was all — but I never seed him skeered 
afore. It made me feel kinder funny, I tell 
you, ’cause I knowed that thar had been some- 
thing onnatural goin’ on ; an’ I aint ashamed 
to say that I looked all aroimd this yere stable, 
to make sure that me an’ him were alone. The 


40 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


ole feller did n’t say any thing, till he had filled 
his pipe an’ smoked it about half out ; an’ then 
he told me what he had seed. ^ Dick,’ says he, 
‘ thar ’s been awful things agoin’ on about that 
ar’ old Greaser’s rancho, an’ if I had n’t seed 
it all with my own two eyes, I should n’t be- 
lieve it. I went down thar where we lost the 
trail last night, an’ arter hidin’ my boss in the 
bushes, tuk up a position from which I could 
watch both sides of the creek. I knowed that 
Don Carlos had gone to bed, ’cause thar was 
no light about the rancho, an’ the doors an’ 
winder-shutters were all closed. I had n’t 
been thar in the bushes long, afore I heered 
the trampin’ of bosses ; but it stopped all of a 
sudden, an’ fur the next five minutes I lay thar 
on the ground listenin,’ an’ peepin’ through 
the trees, tryin’ to get a sight at the fellers. 
But I could n’t see ’em, an’ finally I begun to 
crawl up closer. 

^ Now, the last time I looked at the rancho, 
it was dark an’ still, an’ thar was n’t a sign of 
a human bein’ about it ; an’ durin’ the two 
minutes I was crawlin’ t’wards them hossmen, 
thar was n’t even the rustlin’ of a leaf to tell 


A STRANGE STORY. 


41 


me that thar was any thing goin^ on. But sich 
fellers as them that live in that rancho do n’t 
make no noise about their work. They had 
done a good deal in them two minutes; an’ 
when I looked acrost the creek ag’in, I knowed 
how it come that we had lost the trail of them 
bosses. I seed enough to skeer me wuss nor I 
was ever skeered afore, an’ if I could have got 
up from the ground, I should have made tracks 
from thar sudden : but, Dick, I could n’t move — 
something held me fast. 

^ I told you that the last time I looked 
t’ wards the rancho it was all dark, did n’t I ? 
Wal, it was n’t so now. The walls of the build- 
in’, an’ the bank of the creek, were lighted 
up by streaks of fire ; an’ where they come from 
I could n’t tell. Howsomever, I did n’t think 
much about that, fur I seed somethin’ else that 
made my ole ’coon-skin cap raise up on my 
head. It Avas a bridge of clouds j which ran 
from the wall of the buildin’ down to the 
water’s edge. Mebbe you won’t believe that, 
Dick, but I seed it with my own eyes. Them 
streaks of fire, that come from the rancho, 
lighted up every thing fur a hundred yards 


42 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


around ; an’ I could see the clouds a rollin’ an’ 
tumblin’ like the smoke from the mouth of a 
cannon. More ’n that, thar was a small flat- 
boat in the creek, which I had n’t seed thar 
afore, an’ on it were four bosses an’ three men. 
Two of the bosses were Eoderick and King 
Jeems. Each one had a feller on his back, an’ 
each feller was boldin’ another boss by the 
bridle. 

^ By the time I had noted these things the 
boat begun to move, an’ then I seed something 
else that skeered me. That ar’ boat, Dick, was 
rowed acrost that creek without hands. It ’s 
a fact, ’cause I seed it. I rubbed my eyes to 
make sure that I was n’t dreamin’, but thar 
was n’t no mistake about it. Them two fellers 
sot thar on their bosses, without layin’ a finger 
on an oar or paddle, the other stood in the 
starn, with his hands in his pockets, an’ yet 
the boat carried them acrost. It was n’t no 
time in reachin’ the other bank, an’ when it 
stopped, the hossmen rode out on this bridge 
of clouds, which seemed to have been put thar 
on purpose fur them, and went t’wards the 
house. I kept dost watch of them, to see which 


A STRANGE STORY. 


43 


way tliey turned, but they did n^t turn at all. 
They kept straight ahead, an’ went into the 
rancho. I rubbed my eyes ag’in, an’ when I 
opened ’em the boat was n’t thar, the bridge of 
clouds had disappeared, the fire had gone out, 
an’ the rancho was as dark an’ silent as though 
thar had never been nobody about it. I tell 
you, Dick, I was skeered when I seed that; 
but I ’ve got a leetle courage, I reckon, an’ I 
made up my mind that I would find out the 
meanin’ of them strange doin’s, or die a tryin’. 
I had seed them two fellers go into the rancho, 
an’ I wanted to know how they got in, an’ 
what they were goin’ to do thar. I did n’t 
stop to think the matter over, ’cause I knowed 
I should back out if I did; but jumpin’ to my 
feet, I ran down the bank of the creek to the 
water, an’ struck out for the other shore. I 
was n’t long in gettin’ acrost, an’ presently I 
found myself standin’ dost to the wall where 
I had seed the fire shinin’, an’ where them two 
hossmen had gone in. Was I really awake? 
Had I seed any body about thar at all ? Dick, 
thar was n’t a door or winder on that side of 
the buildin’ ! The wall was as solid as the 


44 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


ground — not a single crack or crevice in it. 
How could them two fellers have gone through 
a stone wall five foot thick? I axed myself 
that question, an’ then I fetched a little whistle, 
an’ turned an’ run fur my life. I swum that 
creek quicker ’n it was ever swum afore, I 
reckon; an’ when I reached my hoss, I put 
spurs to him, an’ come home a flyin’. I kept 
lookin’ back all the while, to see if thar was n’t 
somethin’ follerin’ me, an’ I did n’h draw an 
easy breath until I come within sight of this 
rancho. I ’ve seed an’ heered of a heap of queer 
things durin’ the sixty years I ’ve been knocked 
about on the prairy, but this yere is a leetle 
ahead of ’em all.’ That ’s the way old Bob 
told me his story, youngsters,” said Dick, in 
conclusion. You may laugh at it if you want 
to, but I won’t, ’cause I know that every word 
of it is the truth.” 

For a few moments after the trapper ceased 
speaking, the boys stood looking at him and at 
one another in blank amazement. His story 
reminded them of the tales of enchantment 
they had read in the Arabian Nights. As 
strange as it may seem, however, they were not 


A STRANGE STORY. 


45 


so much astonished at the recital of the singular 
events that had happened at the old Spaniard’s 
rancho, as they were to know that Roderick 
and King James had been seen to go in there. 
Frank turned the matter over in his mind, and 
told himself that he had heard something that 
would, sooner or later, lead to the breaking up 
of the robber-band. Like the others, he could 
not explain the bridge of clouds,” nor could 
he understand how a boat could be ferried 
across a wide creek without hands, or how a 
solid stone wall, five feet thick, could open to 
admit the horsemen ; but still he knew that if 
these things had really happened, they were the 
results of human agency, and that there was 
nothing supernatural about them. He did not 
believe that Don Carlos had any thing to- do 
with the horse-thieves, and yet it did not seem 
possible that such proceedings as the old trap- 
per had witnessed could go on in his rancho 
without his knowledge. Don Carlos was a 
prominent personage in the settlement. He 
was one of the wealthiest men in Southern 
California, numbered his cattle and horses by 
thousands, his money by bushels instead of 


46 


DON CARIiOS’ RANCHO. 


dollars (Uncle James had once told his nephews 
that he had seen three barrels of gold in the 
old Spaniard’s bedroom), and there was no need 
that he should risk his life by engaging in any 
such business. Besides, he had lost several 
fine horses himself, and had been untiring in 
his efforts to discover the thieves. If he was 
one of the guilty parties, he certainly had 
reason to congratulate himself on the skillful 
manner in which he had avoided arousing the 
suspicions of his neighbors. 

I have told you the story, youngsters,” said 
Dick, ^^an’ you can do what you think best. 
You can bear one thing in mind, howsomever, 
an’ that is, if you ’re goin’ to be keerless, like you 
allers are, an’ try to find out what ’s been goin’ 
on at that rancho, you can look to the settlers 
for help, if you want any. Ole Bob says that 
thar aint money enough in Californy to hire 
him to go back thar ; an’ if he won’t go, you ’d 
better believe that Dick Lewis won’t go nuther. 
I do n’t want to see any thing that ole Bob is 
afeared of.” 

think we had better let the matter rest 
until Uncle James returns,” said Frank. He 


A STEANGE STOKY. 


47 


will know what ought to be done. Now let us 
go out and look at that trap.” 

^^You had better keep away from thar,” said 
Dick. Ole Davy happens to be prowlin^ 

about in the woods, he ^11 larn you more of the 
nater of grizzly bars than you ever knowed 
afore.” 

O, we ’re not going to trouble him,” replied 
Johnny. 

^^And if he knows when he is well off he 
won’t trouble us either,” said Archie. I ’ve 
wanted to fight somebody ever since I lost that 
horse ; and I ’m just as willing it should be 
Old Davy as any one else.” 

The cousins had a good deal of trouble in 
selecting Their horses ; but, with the trapper’s 
assistance, they were finally mounted to their 
satisfaction, and after securing their weapons, 
and a couple of axes, with which to repair the 
trap, they whistled to their dogs, and galloped 
toward the mountains. 


48 


DON CAKLOS EANCHO. 


CHAPTER IV. 

^^OLD DAVY.” 

TT was a long time before the boys ceased to 
wonder at the singular story they had just 
heard. They discussed it while they were rid- 
ing toward the mountains; but after they had 
all expressed an opinion, they were as much in 
the dark as they had been before. They could 
not understand it at all. Dick Thomas declared 
that old Bob must have fallen asleep while he 
was watching the rancho, and that the bridge 
of clouds, the streaks of fire, and the boat that 
was ferried across the creek without hands, were 
things which he had seen only in his dreams. 
Such incidents, he said, might have happened 
in feudal times, and in some old castle which 
had been built with secret doors and dungeons 
and passage-ways ; but no one need try to make 
him believe that they could take place at that 


OLD DAVY. 


49 


late day, in a civilized country, and in a house 
that had been erected simply for a dwelling. 
It was ridiculous. Johnny said that was his 
opinion, too ; but Frank and Archie, who knew 
that the old trapper was not the man to fall 
asleep while watching for an enemy, were con- 
fident that something unusual and exciting had 
been going on at Don Carlos’ rancho. Bob 
was a very ignorant man, and of course he was 
superstitious. He believed in signs and omens, 
and any thing he could not account for was 
sure to frighten him. This may have led him 
to exaggerate the occurrences at the rancho, but, 
for all that, they knew that he had been a wit- 
ness to some strange scenes. 

Old Bob did n’t make up that story,” said 
Archie, decidedly, ^^and he never dreamed it, 
either. He saw something, and I ’ll know what 
it was before I am two days older. It’s my 
opinion that that old Spaniard has got my 
horse : and if he has, he must give him up, or 
there ’ll be a bigger fuss in this settlement than 
there was when the Indians attacked it years ago.” 

But all thoughts of Don Carlos and his 
rancho, and th^ mysterious things that had 
4 


60 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


happened there, were soon driven out of their 
minds ; for, by this time, they had reached the 
spring near which Frank, Archie, and Johnny 
had been captured by Fierre and his band, and 
there they found the trap of which they were 
in search. It was built of heavy logs, with a 
movable top, like the lid of a box, to which, 
when the trap was set, a ^Hrigger’^ was adjust- 
ed, in such a manner that, wFen the bait was 
removed, the top would fall down, confining 
the bear in the pen. The boys thought that 
Old Davy must have possessed immense power 
of muscle to work his way out of that trap. 
He had left the marks of his great claws and 
teeth on the logs, and there were the prints of 
his feet where he had passed along the muddy 
bank of the spring into the woods. 

Frank and his companions sat in their sad- 
dles looking at the trap, while the dogs, with 
all the bristles on their backs sticking straight 
up, ran about in a state of intense excitement. 
The boys were all thinking about the same 
thing : and that was, if they dared to send on 
the dogs, and could find and shoot Old Davy, 
what a feather it would be in their caps ! That 


OLD DAVY. 


51 


would be doing something that Dick Lewis 
and Bob Kelly and all the best hunters in the 
settlement had tried in vain to accomplish. 
There was one of their number who was reck- 
less enough to believe that they could do it, and 
that was Archie Winters. 

Hi ! hi ! he yelled, so suddenly that he 
startled all his companions. Look to him, 
dogs. Hunt him up ! ” 

Ko sooner were the words spoken, than the 
dogs uttered a simultaneous yelp, and disap- 
peared in the bushes. There were five of them 
in the pack — Marmion, and four splendid 
hounds, which belonged to Dick. Their young 
masters had often declared that they should 
never follow Old Davy’s trail, for he was a 
famous hand to destroy dogs, and during his 
numerous fights, he had killed nearly all the 
finest animals of this species in the settlement. 
A few months before, every farmer in that sec- 
tion of the country had pointed with pride to 
his pack of fifteen or twenty hounds, to which 
he gave as much care and attention as he be- 
stowed upon his horses; but Old Davy had 
thinned them all out, and now some of the set- 


52 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


tiers had only two or three remaining. Frank 
and Dick had, thus far, kept their favorites at 
a safe distance from the grizzly, but Archie had 
sent them right into his mouth. When the 
dogs came up with him, they would of course 
attack him, and that would be the last of them. 
A bear that could demolish twenty fierce 
hounds in a single fight, would not wink over 
five antagonists. However, it was too late to 
recall them. They were already out of sight, 
and yelping fierce and loud as they swept up 
the mountain in pursuit of the grizzly. 

I ’ve seen my hounds for the last time,’’ 
said Dick. 

And I ’ll never put eyes on Marmion 
again,” chimed in Frank. ^^What made you 
send them on, Archie ? ” 

Now look here, fellows,” replied the latter. 

We have said a hundred times that we wanted 
to see old Davy, and I’d like to know if we’ll 
ever have a better chance than we ’ve got now. 
Let ’s follow the dogs, and when they bring us 
within sight of the bear, we ’ll call them off. 
We can look at him without having a fight with 
him, can’t we?” 


OLD DAVY. 


53 


The others were by no means sure of that. 
Those who knew Old Davy best said that he 
was a quarrelsome fellow, and that he never 
hesitated to assault any body who invaded his 
dominions. A blaek bear, unless driven des- 
perate by hunger, will generally take to his 
heels at the sight of a human being; but Old 
Davy was a grizzly, and one of the most fero- 
cious of his species. But, although the boys 
were well aware of all these facts, they did not 
hesitate to follow Archie, who, without waiting 
to hear what his companions had to say to his 
proposition, put spurs to his horse, and dashed 
into the bushes. They unslung their guns as 
they went (although they all declared that they 
had not the slightest intention of shooting at 
the bear if they came up with him), and, guided 
by the hoarse baying of the hounds in front, 
galloped through the trees, and up the side of 
the mountain, like a squad of cavalry on the 
charge. 

The higher they went the more difficult the 
ascent became. The bushes were thick, fallen 
logs incumbered the ground, and the trees and 
saplings grew so closely together that their 


64 


DON CARLOs’ RANCHO. 


horses could scarcely force their way through 
them. It was a splendid hiding-place for a 
bear, and Frank could not help asking himself 
how many chances there were in a hundred 
that all of them would succeed in making their 
escape, if Old Davy should suddenly pounce 
down upon them. 

After a tedious, fatiguing ride of half an 
hour, during which time the music of the 
hounds continued to ring out louder and clear- 
er, as the trail grew warmer, they reached the 
top of a spur of the mountain, and were on 
the point of descending into the ravine on the 
opposite side, when Dick Thomas, who was 
leading the way, suddenly uttered an exclama- 
tion, and stopped his horse. 

What is it ? asked his. companions in a 
breath. 

^^We’d better be getting away from here, 
fellows,’^ replied Dick, so excited that he could 
scarcely speak plainly. There ’s the old ras- 
cal himself.’’ 

^^Who? Where? You don’t mean Old 
Davy ! ” 

The boys had talked bravely enough about 


OLD DAVY. 


55 


meeting this dreaded monster; but now that 
they were close upon him, their courage began 
to ooze out at the ends of their fingers, and 
the faces they turned toward Dick were a good 
deal paler than usual. 

Yes, I do mean Old Davy. Do n’t you see 
him sitting there at the foot of that mammoth 
oak ? ” 

The boys looked through the trees in the 
direction Dick pointed, and, sure enough, there 
was the grizzly, scarcely more than a hundred 
yards distant. There could be no mistake as 
to his identity, for there was the bald spot on 
his forehead as plain as daylight. They had 
got themselves into a nice scrape. 

That was the first thought that passed through 
Frank’s mind, and the next was that he would 
never again have a word to say about Marmion’s 
courage. He had never been more astonished 
in his life, than he was when he witnessed the 
actions of his favorite. The hero of a score of 
hard-fought battles, the dog that had been at 
the killing of half a dozen bears, and never once 
hesitated to attack the largest of them — Mar- 
mion the infallible, upon discovering Old Davy, 


56 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


uttered one howl of terror, and faced about and 
fled for dear life. The hounds followed close 
at his heels, and such a scrambling to get out 
of harm’s way Frank had never seen before. 
They were out of sight in an instant. 

The boys had prepared themselves to see 
something frightful when they came within 
sight of Old Davy, and they were not disap- 
pointed. He was even larger and uglier than 
their imaginations had pictured him. He sat 
on his haunches at the root of a huge oak, 
swinging his head slowdy, from side to side, 
and apparently unconscious of the presence of 
the young hunters. 

^^Well, fellows,” said Frank, who was the 
coolest one in the party, ^Sve ’ve found the old 
villain, and now what are we going to do with 
him?” 

Let ’s shoot at him and run,” suggested 
Archie. 

^^If the ground was clear, and I had my own 
horse, I would agree to that,” replied Frank. 

But do n’t you know that this mountain behind 
us is almost impassable ? What would happen 
to us if we should fail to kill or disable him. 


OLD DAVY. 


57 


and our horses should become entangled in the 
bushes ? 

^^^yell, we must do something very soon/^ 
said Johnny, ^^for the old fellow isn’t going 
to sit there much longer. He is getting un- 
easy.” 

Frank raised himself in his stirrups and took 
a survey of the ground before him, like a 
general who was about to lead his forces into 
action. But he had no intention of provoking 
a fight with their enemy. His only desire was 
to bring himself and companions safely out of 
the dangerous predicament in which they had 
thoughtlessly placed themselves. He was cer- 
tain that when they began to retreat, the griz- 
zly would assume the offensive ; and in a race 
through those thick bushes, he would have a 
decided advantage, and might succeed in over- 
taking some of them. 

There is only one thing we can do,” said 
he, ^^and that is to get down to the bottom of 
the ravine.” 

Why, we ’ll have to go right past Old 
Davy to get there,” said Archie. 

^^We can’t help that. We must reach clear 


58 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


ground, where we will have a fair ehance for 
our lives, if he takes it into his head to attack 
us. Move in single file, boys, keep close to- 
gether, and if Old Davy shows fight, we’ll 
give him a volley, and take to our heels.” 

That ’s the way to do it,” said Dick, ap- 
provingly. You give the commands, Frank, 
and then every thing will be done in order.” 

The boys w^ere, by this time, recovering from 
the nervousness that had been occasioned by 
the first sight of the grizzly ; and, as their 
courage returned, there was more than one 
among them who secretly determined that he 
would not leave the field, until, he had had at 
least one fair shot at the bear. They had swift 
horses under them, trusty weapons in their 
hands, and they knew that if Old Davy would 
keep quiet until they were well out of the 
bushes into clear ground, there was nothing to 
be afraid of. 

Frank turned his horse and I’ode slowly dowm 
the mountain toward the bottom of the ravine, 
his companions following after in single file. 
They carried their rifles across their saddles in 
front of them, cocked and ready for instant use. 


OLD DAVY. 


59 


and each boy kept his eyes fastened upon the 
grizzly. Old Davy watched them closely, too ; 
and when he saw them moving about among 
the bushes, he raised his head and uttered an 
angry growl. That growl had a demoralizing 
effect upon the young hunters, for their line of 
battle was broken in an instant, and Frank^s 
horse made one or two frantic leaps down the 
mountain, almost unseating his rider. The gen- 
eral consternation was greatly increased when 
Johnny called out that the bear was coming. 

Take it easy, boys ! shouted Frank, with 
difficulty restraining his frightened horse. 

There ^s time enough. Wait till he comes out 
of the bushes, and fire at that bald spot on his 
forehead. !6e sure of your aim, now.’’ 

It required no little nerve for the young 
hunters to sit there in their saddles and await 
the onslaught of that enraged grizzly. They 
could not see him now, but they heard his an- 
gry growls, and saw the bushes shake and bend 
as he charged toward them. Presently his 
enormous head and shoulders emerged from a 
thicket scarcely more than twenty-five yards 
distant, and Frank gave^ the word. 


GO 


DON CAELOS' EANCHO 


Ready ! Aim ! Fire ! lie shouted. 

Four shining rifle-barrels arose in line, four 
sights covered the bear’s head, four fingers 
pressed the trigger at the same instant, a roar 
that awoke the echoes far and near rang through 
the mountains, and before the smoke cleared 
away, four frightened horses had dashed past 
Old Davy, and were carrying their riders down 
the ravine with the speed of the wind. The 
boys knew that their hands trembled, but they 
were all good marksmen, and they were sure 
that at least one of the four bullets that had 
been fired at the grizzly’s head, had found a 
lodgment in some vital part ; but what was 
their amazement, when they reached the bottom 
of the ravine, and turned in their saddles and 
looked back, to see Old Davy still on his feet, 
and coming down the mountain in hot pursuit. 
He did not appear to have been in the leasi, 
injured by the storm of bullets they had rained 
upon him. 


A BUNNING FIGHT. 


G1 


CHAPTER Y. 

A KUNNING FIGHT. 

TT was one of Dick’s sayings that bear-hunt- 
ing was a business by itself” — as much so 
as book-keeping or steamboating ; and Frank 
and Archie had been in California long enough 
to learn that the trapper told the truth in this, 
as in other matters. It was a favorite pastime 
with the settlers in that section of the country, 
and the cousins had seen as many as thirty men 
take part in a single hunt. They were gener- 
ally divided into two parties : some went in the 
drive — that is, they followed the hounds, and 
if the bear was brought to bay by them, they 
signaled to their companions with their hunt- 
ing horns. The others were scattered about 
among the mountains, watching the runa- 
ways,” and holding themselves in readiness to 
shoot the bear if he attempted to pass by them. 


62 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


This was the part our four boys always took in 
a bear-hunt, and they had engaged in so many 
during the last few weeks, that they began to 
consider themselves experts in the business. 
They had never killed a grizzly, but they could 
boast of having had an exciting fight with one. 
How it would have ended it is hard to tell. 
The boys were getting the worst of it (by that 
we mean that the bear was charging upon them, 
and they were running for dear life toward the 
place where they had left their horses), when 
Mr. Harris, who happened to be near at hand, 
came up and put an end to the fight by shoot- 
ing the bear through the head. The boys after- 
ward had reason to wish that he had stayed 
away a few minutes longer ; for all the hunters 
in the settlement laughed at them, and Mr. 
Harris created a great deal of amusement by 
showing how Johnny looked when he was run- 
ning through the bushes, with his coat-tails 
sticking straight out behind him. They de- 
fended themselves against the charge of coward- 
ice with a good deal of spirit, and did not, by 
any means, acknowledge themselves whipped. 
They affirmed that it was their intention to 


A RUNNING FIGHT. 


63 


draw the bear into open ground, and continue 
the fight on horseback ; but the old hunters 
refused to believe this story, and the boys 
solemnly avowed that, if they ever got a fair 
chance, they would show them that they could 
kill a bear as well as any body. Now they 
had an opportunity to try their skill on Old 
Davy, and this was the time to make good 
their boasts. The result of this day’s work 
would be a fair test of their abilities as bear- 
hunters. There were no dogs to worry the 
grizzly, and no experienced men, with quick 
eyes and steady hands, to ride up and rescue 
them if they came to close quarters with their 
enemy. They had no one to depend upon but 
themselves; and, if they killed the bear, the 
glory would be all their own. 

I am going to have one more shot at that 
fellow before I leave him,” said Archie, with 
as much apparent indifference as though he was 
speaking of shooting at a squirrel. He ’ll 
never rob any more cow-pens when I am done 
with him. 

The boys were all wonderfully brave and 
reckless now that they imagined themselves 


64 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


safe from the claws of the grizzly ; but when 
they reached the bottom of the ravine, and 
found that their situation there was not much 
better than it had been on the mountain-side, 
their courage all left them again, and they had 
nothing more to say about shooting Old Davy. 
They were really in more danger now than they 
had been before, for they had but one way to 
run. On two sides of them were precipitous 
cliffs, which could not be scaled on horseback ; 
behind them was the grizzly; and in front an 
almost impenetrable wall of bushes shut them 
off from the prairie beyond. They took this 
all in at a glance, and, knowing that there was 
but one way of escape open to them, they urged 
their horses forward at increased speed, and 
dashed pell-mell into the bushes, where, a mo- 
ment afterward, they found themselves brought 
to a dead halt. Their horses, snorting with 
terror, exerted themselves to the utmost, but 
without making any perceptible headway, and 
but a short distance behind them came the bear, 
lumbering along as easily as though the bushes, 
which effectually checked their progress, had 
been nothing more than so many straws in his 


A RUNNING FIGHT. 


65 


way. It was a critical moment, and more than 
one among the young hunters gave himself up 
for lost. Beyond a doubt it would have been the 
last bear-hunt for somebody, had it not been 
for the coolness and courage of Frank Nelson. 
Seeing that the grizzly was gaining rapidly, 
and that he would certainly overtake them 
before they could work their way out of the 
bushes, he very deliberately slung his rifle over 
his shoulder, and drew one of his revolvers. 
Reining in his plunging, frantic horse, he faced 
about in his saddle, and took a deliberate aim 
at the bear’s head. 

Shoot close, Frank,” said Johnny, whose 
horse seemed to be hopelessly entangled in the 
bushes. If you miss, somebody is done 
for.” 

With almost breathless anxiety his compan- 
ions awaited the result of his shot ; and when 
the smoke of the revolver had cleared away, 
and Old Davy was seen struggling on the 
ground, the shout that went up from four pairs 
of strong lungs was almost deafening. 

Hurrah for the champion rifle-shot ! ” yelled 
Dick. He ’s down ! ” ' 


66 


DON CAKLOS’ RANCHO. 


^^But he’s up again!” exclaimed Frank. 
^'Push ahead, fellows!” 

During the delay occasioned by Frank’s lucky 
shot, short as it was, the boys gained consid- 
erable ground ; and before the grizzly was fairly 
on his feet again, they had worked their way 
out of the bushes into the bed of a creek which 
ran through the ravine. As the water was but 
a few inches deep, it formed an excellent high- 
way'; and, with another shout, the boys gave 
rein to their horses, which set off at a rapid 
gallop, leaving Old Davy far in the rear. They 
were safe now, and their courage rose again. 

Is n’t there any way to get the better of 
that fellow ? ” asked Archie. If we can in- 
duce him to follow us out on the prairie, I ’ll 
ride home after Dick Lewis. He ’ll fix him.” 

Oh, he will follow us,” replied Johnny : 
^^you need not be at all uneasy about that. I 
guess you have n’t learned much about grizzlies 
yet.” 

Archie thought of the adventures he had had 
with these animals when he and his friends were 
encamped at the Old Bear’s Hole, and told 
himself that he had learned a good deal about 


A RUNNING FIGHT. 


67 


them; perhaps quite as much as his friend 
Johnny, who had lived among them all his 
life. 

I declare, he ’s coming now,’^ continued the 
latter, looking over his shoulder. I do n’t 
believe we have hurt him at all.” 

The others were of the same opinion. Old 
Davy mad(^ headway astonishingly for an ani- 
mal that had five bullets in him, and during 
the next ten minutes they did not gain on him 
more than a stone’s throw. But that did not 
cause them any uneasiness. They knew that 
the grizzly could not overtake them as long as 
the way was clear before them, and as they 
dashed along they discussed the best means of 
conquering their dreaded enemy. When they 
got him out on the prairie should they stop 
and fight him, or go home after the trapper? 
They knew that they would gain a good deal 
of honor, if they could exhibit the grizzly’s 
skin as a trophy of their prowess, but they 
were so much afraid of him that they did not 
want to permit him to come within shooting 
distance of them again, if they could avoid it. 
They did not have time, however, to come to 


68 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


any decision on these points, for they suddenly 
discovered something that drove all their plans 
for Old Davy’s destruction out of their minds, 
and turned their thoughts to a matter of much 
more importance — their own safety. As they 
swept around an abrupt bend in the creek, they 
found themselves brought to a stand-still by a 
huge tree which had fallen across the ravine. 
Against the body of the tree was piled a mass 
of smaller logs and branches, which had prob- 
ably lodged there during high water, the whole 
forming an obstruction at least seven feet in 
height. They could not go around it, because 
of the cliffs on each side; and they dared not 
turn back, for there was the grizzly close be- 
hind them. They were fairly cornered. 

The boys became appalled when they saw the 
danger of their situation, and for a moment 
they sat in their saddles as motionless as if 
they had been turned into stone. Then a 
glance over their shoulders showed them that 
the grizzly still kept up the pursuit ; and that 
once more aroused them. 

‘^What shall we do?” asked Archie, turn- 
ing his pale face toward his cousin, to whom 


A EUNNING FIGHT. 


69 


he always looked for advice and assistance in 
times of danger. 

Frank’s answer was not given in words. 
When they first discovered the obstruction in 
their path, they had stopped their horses, and 
during the half a minute of inactivity that 
preceded Archie’s question, Frank had taken a 
survey of the situation, and determined upon 
his course. The others knew what it was when 
they saw him bend forward in his saddle, and 
gather his reins firmly in his hand. 

^^You can’t do it!” Dick almost gasped. 

It is too high.” 

Before the words were fairly uttered, Frank’s 
horse was flying down the ravine at the top of 
his speed. For a moment the gravel and water 
flew about in all directions, then there was a 
crushing among the branches which had lodged 
against the body of the tree, and Frank had 
disappeared from view. His horse had jumped 
the log ; and if the others could be induced to 
follow, the young hunters were safe. 

I did it easily enough, did n’t I ? ” shouted 
Frank, waving his hat to his companions. 

Come on, fellows. It ’s your only chance.” 


70 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


As soon as he could stop his horse he turned 
to wait for the others. Then for the first time 
he realized how high the obstruction was — 
what a tremendous jump his horse must have 
made to carry him safely over it — and he trem- 
bled when he saw his companions preparing to 
follow him. As he sat in his saddle, he could 
just look over the log and watch their move- 
ments. A very slight accident — a single in- 
stant’s hesitation on the part of one of their 
horses — might result in a terrible tragedy. 

Johnny was the first to take the leap. In 
response to a light touch from his spurs, his 
horse arose in the air and sailed over the log 
like a bird. Two of them were safe, and their 
courage arose again wonderfully : but now mis- 
fortunes befell them. Archie’s horse made an 
awkward start, and striking his fore-feet against 
a branch of the tree, fell rather than jumped 
over the obstruction, dashing his rider with 
stunning violence to the ground. Dick’s horse 
came on gallantly enough, but stopped when 
he reached the log, laid back his ears, and 
stubbornly refused to move an inch in any di- 
rection. Johnny turned white with terror, and 


A RUNNING FIGHT. 


71 


the ramrod with which Frank was driving 
home a ball in his rifle, trembled like a leaf 
in his grasp. There was Archie lying stunned 
and bleeding where he had fallen, Dick on a 
balky horse, which only kicked viciously when 
his rider touched him with his spurs, and the 
bear close behind, and coming on as fiercely as 
ever. 

Frank gazed in bewilderment and dismay at 
the scene before him, and his first impulse was 
to put spurs to his horse and ride away, that 
he might not see what would follow when the 
grizzly came up. But that feeling wasf> short- 
lived. He knew that neither Archie nor Dick 
would have deserted him had he been in their 
situation, and if he could not save them, he 
would, at least, have the satisfaction of knowing 
that he had done what he could. 

Johnny,’^ he exclaimed, in a voice which 
to save his life he could scarcely raise above a 
w^hisper, can you take Archie in front of you ? ” 
^^Hand him up here,” was Johnny^s reply. 

I T1 take care of him.” 

Dick,” continued Frank, jump down from 
that horse, and mount Archie’s.” 


72 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Dick was prompt to act upon the suggestion. 
He threw himself from his horse, which he 
sincerely hoped would stand where he was 
until Old Davy could get his claws upon him, 
tumbled over the log, and in a moment more 
was safe in Archie’s saddle. Frank, in the 
mean time, had raised his cousin from the 
ground, and placed him upon Johnny’s horse ; 
and by the time the grizzly came in sight, the 
boys were ready to continue their flight. 

Ride for life, now, Johnny,” said Frank. 
Remember that you have got a double load, 
and de n’t spare the whip.” 

Do n’t be uneasy,” was the answer. I ’ve 

a splendid horse, and I won’t be long” 

Another misfortune cut short Johnny’s words. 
If his horse was a splendid animal, he was also 
a most vicious one, and he did not like to carry 
double. No sooner did he feel Archie’s weight 
on his back, than he set off* at a furious pace, 
and suddenly throwing down his head, sent 
both his heels high into the air. Johnny, being 
an excellent horseman, and always on the watch 
for such eccentricities, would have had no dif- 
ficulty in retaining his seat, had not the saddle- 


A RUNNING FIGHT. 


73 


girth parted with a loud snap, throwing him 
and Archie headlong to tlie ground, 

^^Did any body ever hear of such luck!^^ 
growled Johnny, who was on his feet almost 
as soon as he touched the ground. Come 
here, Dick; you’ll have to take him now.” 

He gave one parting glance at his horse, 
which was flying down the ravine, and then 
raised his insensible companion in his arms, 
and ran toward Dick, who galloped up to meet 
him. The former took the wounded hunter 
upon his horse and continued his flight, while 
Johnny picked up his gun, and drew a bee-line 
for the nearest tree. 

While this was going on, Frank had finished 
loading his rifle, and dismounted from his 
horse, and was now standing in front of the 
log, awaiting the approach of the grizzly, and 
ready to carry out his self-imposed task of 
covering the retreat of the others. In one 
hand he held his bridle, and in the other his 
trusty weapon, which he raised to his shoulder 
now and then, as he caught sight of the grizzly 
through the branches of the tree. He knew 
that every thing depended upon the result of 


74 


DON CAHLOS^ EANCHO. 


tliis shot, and he was resolved that he would 
not fire until a fair mark was presented. He 
tried to argue himself into the belief that Old 
Davy was a squirrel, and that he could easily 
put a ball into one of his eyes at a distance of 
fifty yards. He recalled to mind some of the 
excellent shots he had made during the last 
few days, and tried hard to keep up his cour- 
age by telling himself that it was seldom in- 
deed that he missed his mark. Still he did 
miss sometimes, and what would be the result 
if he missed now ? His life would not be worth 
a moment’s purchase. He would not have time 
to mount before the grizzly would be close up- 
on him. But even if he did succeed in making 
his escape, how far could Dick’s horse carry 
his double load before he would be overtaken ? 
Once more Frank raised his rifle, and just at 
that moment Old Davy’s head and shoulders 
appeared above the log, not more than ten feet 
distant. His mouth was open, showing a fright- 
ful array of teeth, his ears were laid back close 
to his head, his eyes seemed to shoot forth an- 
gry sparks of fire, and, altogether, his appear- 
ance was enough to shake the strongest nerves. 


A RUNNING FIGHT. 


75 


But Frank’s were as firm as a rock. The trusty 
rifle was held as steadily as though it were a 
part of him it had served so long and faith- 
fully ; and just as the grizzly’s fore-feet touched 
the ground, a sharp report rang through the 
ravine, and for an instant the smoke concealed 
both hunter and bear from the view of Johnny, 
who, from his perch in a neighboring tree, had 
watched all that was going on before him with 
breathless anxiety. When the smoke cleared 
away he saw Frank standing erect and un- 
harmed, and Old Davy lying motionless where 
he had fallen. Frank’s bullet had reached its 
mark. 


76 


DON CAIILOS’ RANCHO. 


f 


CHAPTER yi. 

DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 

ALD DAVY, the terror of the country, the 
^ destroyer of dogs, and winner of goodness 
knows how many desperate battles — Old Davy 
the invincible — had met his match at last in 
Frank Nelson, a boy of sixteen. The young 
hunter had long enjoyed an enviable reputa- 
tion, dating as far back as his desperate fight 
with the moose, which had taken place during 
the previous winter, while he and Archie were 
sojourning at Uncle Joe’s cabin. Since that 
time he had been the hero of as many scrapes 
as a boy of his age could well get into. He 
had been lost on the prairie; stampeded with 
a herd of buffaloes ; passed a nigh^ in the camp 
of a band of blood-thirsty outlaws, who stole 
his horse and threatened to tie him to a tree 
and leave him to the mercy of the wolves ; had 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


77 


three desperate encounters with a highwayman, 
and been captured at last and held as a pris- 
oner by him ; and in all. these trying situations 
he had shown that he po^essed a wonderful 
degree of courage, and had always conducted 
himself in a way to draw forth the highest 
praise from his friends the trappers. But all 
his former exploits were as nothing compared 
with the feat he had just accomplished. He 
had a reputation now that any farmer in that 
country would have been proud to possess. He 
wmuld be pointed out as the one who had killed 
a monster which had held his own against all 
the men and dogs that could be brought against 
him ; and when he heard old bear-hunters re- 
counting their adventures, and boasting of their 
achievements, he could hold his head as high 
as any of them. 

That was what Frank thought half an hour 
after the fight was over; but, when he stood 
there looking at his prize and at his companions 
— at Archie, who sat on the ground beside the 
bear, with his aching head resting on his hands, 
and at Dick, one or both of whom had been 
saved by his lucky shot, he never reflected on 


78 


DON CARLOS^ RANCHO. 


the glory he had won. He could not help 
thinking of what the consequences would have 
been if he, in his excitement, had missed the 
bear, or failed to disable him. 

Never before had the boys engaged in so 
exciting a battle. It was far ahead of any of 
their former hunts. It had been ended so for- 
tunately, too ! Archie had a lame shoulder and 
a bruised nose, and for a few minutes had been 
utterly unconscious of what was going on around 
him ; but he did not feel half so badly about 
it as Dick did over the trick his horse had 
played upon him. 

I ’ll fix him for that,” said the boy, with a 
threatening shake of his head. ^^I’ll put him 
in one of father’s teams, and make him work 
for his living. I do n’t owe him any thanks 
for coming out of this fight with a whole skin. 
After he has made a few trips between our 
rancho and San Diego, hauling heavy loads of 
provisions, he ’ll wish he had behaved him- 
self.” 

I ’ll tell you what I am going to do with 
mine,” said Archie, with a glance of contempt 
at the nag which had been the cause of his 


DON CARLOS^ RANCHO. 


79 


misfortune : I ^11 leave him out of doors to- 

night, and let the horse-thieves steal him.” 

I do n’t see how you can be revenged on 
thn horse by doing that,” said Frank. I 
do n’t suppose it makes much difference to him 
wdio he has for a master.” 

Who said I wanted to be revenged on the 
horse ? ” asked Archie. I do n’t ; but I ’ll 
take a terrible revenge on the robbers. Per- 
haps the fellow who gets this horse will try to 
jump him over a log, and the horse will fall 
down with him, as he did with me, and smash 
the robber’s nose, and knock his shoulder out 
of joint. That ’s the way I ’ll get even with 
him.” 

Three cheers for the champion rifle-shot 
and bear-killer!” yelled Johnny, for the twen- 
tieth time. 

Again and again the ravine echoed with lusty 
shouts — even Archie lifted his pale face and 
joined in with a feeble voice — and having thus 
given vent to their enthusiasm, the boys pulled 
off their jackets and began the work of remov- 
ing the grizzly’s skin. 

That will be a valuable addition to our 


80 


DON CADLOS’ RANCHO. 


museum at home, won’t it?” asked Archie, 
stretching himself out in the shade of a tree 
close by. When it is stulfed and mounted, 
it will be worth all our other specimens put 
together. I ’d give something to know what 
Dick Lewis will have to say about it. Hallo ! ” 

The boys looked up to see what had caused this 
exclamation, and discovered the trapper standing 
at a little distance from them, closely watching 
their operations. They had often seen him as- 
tonished, but never before had they seen such 
a look of utter amazement as that which now 
overspread his face. He stood with his body 
bent forward, his neck stretched out, and his 
eyes almost starting from their sockets. With 
one hand he held his horse, and in the other 
his rifle, with the butt of which he was thump- 
ing the ground energetically, as if giving em- 
phasis to some thoughts that were passing 
through his mind. His whole attitude and 
appearance indicated that he was little prepared 
for the scene he was witnessing. 

^Hlallo, Dick!” exclaimed Johnny; we ’re 
glad to see you. You and old Bob can just 
hang up your fiddles now. There ’s a hunter 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


81 


in the settlement who is a long way ahead of 
both of you/’ 

The trapper tied his horse to a limb of the 
nearest tree, and walked toward the boys. You 
amazin’ keerless feller ! ” said he, addressing 
himself to Frank, I b’lieve it ’s my bounden 
duty to take this yere ramrod out of my gun 
an’ give you the best kind of a wallopin’.” 

You had better be careful how you talk to 
him,” said Dick Thomas. ^^He ’s the man who 
killed Old Davy.” 

Do n’t I know all about it?” exclaimed 
the trapper. Did n’t I say to myself this 
mornin’, when you fellers left the rancho, that 
somethin’ was goin’ to happen ? Did n’t I 
saddle up my hoss an’ foller you, to keep an 
eye on you, an’ haint you gone an’ fit an’ killed 
that ar’ grizzly bar afore I could find you, to 
lend you a helpin’ hand? You have; an’ it 
beats any thing I ever heern tell on. The next 
thing I know you will be foolin’ around among 
them hoss-thieves.” 

This was the way Dick always lectured 
Frank and Archie whenever they did any thing 
that astonished him, and a stranger, to have 
6 


82 


BON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


heard him speal^, would have supposed that 
somebody had ordered him to watch the cousins 
closely, and keep them out of trouble ; and that 
he had found the task an exceedingly difficult 
one to perform. The stranger would have be- 
lieved, too, that he was very angry ; but the 
boys knew that the fierce scowl he had assumed 
was intended to conceal a very different feel- 
ing — that he was highly elated over their vic- 
tory, and that, before a week had passed, he 
would tell it to every body in the settlement. 
They knew, also, that the story would lose 
nothing in passing through his hands ; for, al- 
though Dick always confined himself strictly 
to the truth when relating his own adventures, 
he did not hesitate to exaggerate a little when 
recounting the exploits of his youngsters.’^ 

I wouldn’t be in Uncle Jeems’s boots fur 
nothin’,” said the trapper, filling his pipe and 
looking severely at Frank. He promised 
your folks, afore we left Lawrence, that he 
would keep you out of all danger, an’ bring 
you safe back to your hum ; but how he ’s a 
goin’ to do it I can’t tell. I would n’t make 
no sich bargain as that ar’ with no man, ’cause 


DON CAELOS’ EANCIIO. 


83 


I could n’t live up to it. What ’s the matter 
with you, little un?” 

I Ve got a broken head, and a lame shoul- 
der, and a cracked nose, and somehow I do n’t 
feel all right,” replied Archie. 

Do n’t ! Wal, tell us all about it.” 

The trapper settled back on his elbow to 
listen, and Dick Thomas, who was a smooth- 
tongued fellow, related the story of their ad- 
ventures from beginning to end. As he pro- 
ceeded, the scowl gradually faded from the 
backwoodsman’s face ; and when- he told how 
Frank had stood there at the log, and risked 
his life to secure the retreat of the others, Dick 
slapped the young hero on the back so heartily 
that he felt the elfects of the blow for a quarter 
of an hour afterward. When the story was 
finished, he unsheathed his long bowie and 
assisted the boys in removing the grizzly’s 
skin ; and as soon as this had been done, he 
placed Archie on his horse, and led the way 
toward, home. 

Their morning’s work had sharpened the 
boys’ appetites, and the excellent dinner which 
the housekeeper served up for them rapidly 


84 


DON CAEI.OS’ EANCHO. 


disappeared before their attacks. Even Archie 
disposed of his full share of the eatables, and 
after a hearty meal, pushed back his chair, de- 
claring that he was all right, and ready for any 
thing the others had to propose, even if it was 
a fight with another Old Davy. 

AYhen the grizzly’s skin had been stretched 
upon a frame to dry, the boys lounged about 
the house for an hour or two, talking over the 
incidents of the morning ; and then Johnny and 
Dick bade the cousins good-by, and started for 
home. Archie was lonesome and restless after 
they had gone. While Frank sat in his easy- 
chair, deeply interested in some favorite author, 
Archie lay stretched out on the bed, tossing his 
heels in the air, and scarcely knowing what to 
do with himself. His lost horse was still up- ^ 
permost in his mind, and he wanted to talk 
about him, and about nothing else. There was 
Frank, as serene and undisturbed as usual, 
poring over the pages of some dry book, when 
he knew that the steed he valued so highly 
was within five miles of him ! Archie did not 
see how any body could read under such cir- 
cumstances, and he told his cousin so. He did 


DON CAKLOS^ BANCIIO. 


85 


not want to stay in the house either; and, what 
was more, he would n’t. He wanted to go 
somewhere, and do something. 

^^Well,” said Frank, laying down his book, 
let ’s hear what you have to propose. I am 
quite at your service.” 

Suppose we beard the lion in his den,” said 
Archie. 

All right. Show me the lion.” 

O, I am not joking. Let ’s visit Don 
Carlos. Mark my words now, Frank : that 
old rascal knows more about the horse-thieves, 
than any body else in the country. We are on 
pretty good terms with him, and perhaps he 
will invite us to stay all night. If he does, 
we may be able to learn something about the 
bridge of clouds, and the other strange things 
old Bob saw there. Will you go?” 

Of course. But I ’ll tell you what it is : 
You are going to be disappointed. We must 
not let Don Carlos know that we suspect any 
thing, for if we do, we may get ourselves into 
trouble.” 

I guess we are smart enough to look out for 
that. We will listen to his stories, and hear 


86 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


him rail at the robbers, and lament the loss of 
his fine horses, and all that, and act as though 
we believed every word of it. We must n’t let 
Dick know where we are going,” added Archie. 

He w’ould be sure to make a fuss about it, for 
he has somehow got it into his head that he is 
our guardian in uncle’s absence.” 

One would think that the cousins had already 
seen enough of excitement and perilous ad- 
venture, to satisfy any two boys in the world; 
and that, after their recent narrow escape from 
the clutches of Old Davy, they would think 
twice before undertaking so dangerous an enter- 
prise as this, which Archie had called “ beard- 
ing the lion in his den.” The w'ay they went 
about their preparations, however, showed that 
they were in earnest, and that they were fully 
determined to learn more about the mysterious 
rancho, that is, if there was any thing more to 
be learned. Frank did not think there was. 
Of course the friendly old Spaniard would in- 
sist that they should accept his hospitality for 
the night, as he always did when they visited 
him. They had passed two or three nights 
under his roof, without seeing or hearing any 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


87 


thing unusual, and they would do it aga,in. As 
for Don Carlos’ complicity with the horse- 
thieves, that was all in Archie’s eye. It was 
only another of the thousand-and-one foolish 
notions he was continually getting into his 
head, and when morning came he would be 
obliged to acknowledge the fact. Archie, on 
the other hand, had made up his mind to see 
some queer sights during the night, if they re- 
mained at Don Carlos’ rancho. He knew that 
he would have to fight somebody, and he pre- 
pared for it by putting a small revolver into 
his pocket, as did Frank, also. He was satis- 
fied, too, that Bob had seen his horse go into 
the Spaniard’s rancho; and, if he was still 
there, Archie would have him out, or he would 
raise a fuss about the old fellow’s ears that 
would make him think he had stirred up a 
hornet’s nest. 

Just think of it!” exclaimed Archie^ in- 
dignantly. Our horses are being used every 
night by those robbers I O, you may smile and 
shake your head as much as you please, but I 
hnow it is so ! ” Frank thought if his cousin’s 
convictions on this point were as strong as the 

V 


88 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


blow he struck the table to emphasize his words, 
they must have been very powerful indeed. 

Now, I can tell you in a few words just how 
this matter stands,” continued Archie, and one 
of these days you will see that I am right. The 
robbers make their head-quarters at that rancho, 
and ride Eoderick and King James on their 
plundering expeditions. They know that the 
animals are swift, and that if they are discov- 
ered they can run away from their pursuers 
very easily. But my horse sha’nT engage in 
any such business. He is a good honest horse, 
and I am not going to have him taught any 
bad habits.” 

In a few minutes the boys were in their sad- 
dles, and galloping through the grove toward 
the creek. They carried their rifles slung over 
their shoulders by broad straps, their navy re- 
volvers in their holsters, and their small pistols 
in their pockets. They rode the same horses 
that had carried them through the fight with 
the grizzly, Archie remarking that although 
his nag was not much of a jumper, he was a 
good one to go, and he might have occasion to 
use a fast horse before morning. They sue- 


DON CARLOS RANCHO. 


89 


ceeded in leaving the rancho without the traj)- 
per’s knowledge ; and in half an hour drew 
rein on the bank of the creek a short distance 
from Don Carlos’ rancho. 

The building was like a good many others 
in that country — there was nothing remarkable 
about it, either in its appearance or history. 
It had stood a siege, and there were plenty of 
bullet-marks about it; and the same was true 
of the rancho in which Frank and Archie 
lived. It was built in the form of a hollow- 
square; the rough stone walls were five feet 
thick; and all the openings, except the port- 
holes, were protected by heavy plank doors and 
shutters, through which a rifle-ball could not 
penetrate. A tall flag-staff arose from the open 
court in th^ center, and from it floated the Stars 
and Stripes. Don Carlos was evidently patriotic. 

The boys gazed long and earnestly at the 
building, and Archie was a good deal disap- 
pointed because he did not see some signs of 
the curious things the old trapper had witnessed 
there. They saw something else, however, at 
least Frank did, and he called Archie’s atten- 
tion to it, by inquiring ; 


90 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


you’ see the second port-hole from the 
right-hand side of the building?” 

I do,” replied his cousin ; and I see some- 
thing sticking out of it. It looks to me like a 
spy-glass.” 

^^That ’s just what it is. There is somebody 
in there watching us. And was n’t that flag 
flying at the mast-head when we first saw it ? ” 
Of course it was,” answered Archie, begin- 
ning to get excited, and now it is at half- 
mast. Now it is being hauled down altogether,” 
he added, as the bunting disappeared behind 
the walls of the rancho. ^^What can it mean? 
It must be a signal of some kind ; and I — I — 
believe I won’t go any farther. I ’ll return 
home and report the matter.” 

What good will that do ? ” asked Frank. 

^^Why, when uncle comes back, he can raise 
a crowd of men, and storm the old villain.” 

I do n’t think he would do it. He would 

want the very strongest evidence before he would 

% 

consent to assault a peaceable settler in his own 
dwelling, and that is something we have n’t got 
yet. Of course we can say that we saw some- 
body watching us through a spy-glass, and that 


DON CAELOS' EANCIIO. 


91 


the flag was hauled down when we came in 
sight ; but that does n^t prove any thing. If 
we should go home with that story, every body 
would laugh at us.’^ 

It is proof enough for me,’^ said Archie, 
and I do n’t care about trusting myself inside 
that rancho. I believe I ’ll go back.” 

And I will go on,” said his cousin, riding 
down the bank toward the ford. If Don 
Carlos asks me to stay all night, I ’ll do it : and 
I shall feel as safe under his roof as I would 
at home.” 

Archie pulled ofi* his sombrero, and scratched 
his head in deep perplexity. He did not want 
to go home without Frank, and neither did he 
want to go with him into the rancho. The 
hauling down of the flag had made him timid. 
If it was not a signal, why was it pulled down 
atihat time of day — two hours before sunset? 
If he had never been satisfied before that there 
was something wrong with Don Carlos, he was 
now. Beyond a doubt he was connected with 
the robbers — he was their leader, perhaps — and 
when he and Frank went into the rancho, they 
would find themselves surrounded by a crowd 


92 


DON CARLOS^ EANCIIO. 


of villainous Mexicans, broken-down miners, 
and other desperate characters, who would never 
allow them to go out again. Worse than all, 
they could not hope for assistance, for they had 
left the rancho without telling any one where 
they were going; and when their absence was 
discovered, their friends would not know where 
to look for them. 

Frank,^’ exclaimed Archie, are you really 
going in there 

I am, if I can get in,^^ replied his cousin, 
who was by this time half way across the ford. 

Come on. I want to satisfy you that you 
have been wrongfully accusing an honest man.’’ 

And I ’ll show you that I have n’t,” said 
Archie, galloping down the bank of the creek, 
and into the water. ^^If you are bound to go 
on, of course I shall stick to you.” 

AVhile the boys were riding toward the ran- 
cho they kept their eyes fastened on the port- 
hole, and saw that the person with the spy-glass 
closely followed all their movements. They 
discovered nothing else that looked suspicious, 
however, and when they dashed through the 
gateway and drew up in the court, the recep- 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


93 


lion they met with, from the proprietor of the 
rancho, went a long way toward convincing 
Archie that he had made a great mistake. 

Don Carlos was a small, slim man, with a 
very sallow face, a long, hooked nose, and an 
immense gray mustache, which covered all the 
lower part of his face. He called himself a 
Spaniard : but he looked more like a German 
Jew, and talked exactly like one. He was as 
polite as a Frenchman; and when the boys 
rode up to the porch, he pulled off his som- 
brero, and stood bowing and scraping to them 
until they dismounted from their horses. 

Ach ! here ish my goot leetle poys ! he 
exclaimed, in his broken English. I peen so 
glad to see you. You shall shtay mit me now 
all night, of course, aint it? Peppo!^^ he ad- 
ded, in a louder tone, addressing a young Mex- 
ican who stood at a little distance, looking on — 
you von grand rascal ! dake dis horses to dem 
shtables. I do so hope dem horse-dieves won’t 
shteal ’em pefore mornings. Yalk right in de 
house, leetle poys.” 

The more I see of this old fellow, the more 
I am convinced that he is a Dutchman,” thought 


94 


DON CADLOS’ RANCHO. 


Arcliie, as he followed Frank and the Don into 
the rancho. I Ve met a good many Spaniards 
since I have been in California, but I never 
heard one talk like that.” 

Their host conducted them through a long 
wide hall, the walls of which were ornamented 
with old-fashioned pictures and implements of 
the chase, and ushered them into an elegantly- 
furnished room, where he left them to take care 
of themselves ; telling them that his herdsmen 
were out collecting a drove of cattle to be sent 
to San Diego, and that it was necessary that 
he should superintend their operations. If the 
boys wanted to read, there were plenty of books 
on the center-table ; and if they did not feel 
like sitting still, they might walk about the 
rancho, and see if they could find any thing to 
amuse them. Supper would be ready at sunset ; 
he would then be back, and would pass the 
evening with them. 

^^What do you think now, Archie?” asked 
Frank, when the Don had gone out. ^^Is this 
the sort of a reception a robber would be likely 
to extend to visitors? Do you suppose that 
if there was any thing wrong here, he would 


DON CARLOS^ RANCHO. 


95 


have allowed us the freedom of the house so 
readily 

^^He does that merely to blind us/^ replied 
his cousin. “ He is more polite and attentive 
than he used to be, and that makes me suspi- 
cious. If we do n’t wish ourselves a thousand 
miles from here before morning, I will make 
you a present of my horse when I get him.” 

Frank recalled these words a few hours after- 
ward, and told himself that Archie had more 
sense than he had ever given him credit for. 


96 


DON CAULOS’ RANCHO. 


CHAPTER YII. 

A HEAVY REWARD. 

T^RANK, we repeat, was obliged to come over 
to his cousin’s way of thinking before he 
was many hours older; but now he believed 
his own opinions to be correct, and showed his 
contempt for Archie’s by settling back into an 
arm-chair, and becoming deeply interested in 
a book which he selected from among the nu- 
merous volumes on the center-table. Archie, 
being left to himself, walked restlessly about 
the room, looking at the pictures, gazing out 
at the port-holes, examining the weapons that 
hung on the walls, and so interested was he in 
his investigations, that his good-breeding alone 
restrained him from peering into closets and 
wardrobes. He kept up an incessant talking, 
but Frank’s answers were given only in'mono- 
syllables, and Archie finally became disgusted, 


A HEAVY REWAED. 


97 


and left him to read in peace. You will 
turn into a book one of these line days/^ said 
he. But I ^11 tell you what it is, old fellow, 
you ’ll not take things so very easily much 
longer.” 

Archie continued his walk about the room, 
passing his hands over the walls, looking under 
the bed, and behind tables and sofas, as if 
searching for something that he was in a great 
hurry to find, and the last his cousin saw of 
him he was standing with his hands behind 
his back, and his head turned on one side, 
closely examining a large oil-painting which 
extended from the ceiling to the floor. The 
next time Frank looked up, he was alone in 
the room — Archie had disappeared. 

^^What trick are you up to now?” exclaimed 
Frank, laying down his book. Come out 
from under that bed. What would you have 
to say for yourself if the Don should come in 
and find you there?” 

But Archie was not under the bed, nor was 
he anywhere in the room. Frank called him, 
but there was no answer. He looked into every 
nook and corner of the apartment in which it 

7 


98 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


was possible that Archie could have concealed 
himself, and then he caught up his hat and 
hurried through the hall, looking into all the 
rooms he passed, and out into the court. The 
rancho seemed to be deserted, with the excep- 
tion of a solitary Mexican, who stood leaning 
against a door-post on the opposite side of the 
court. This man scowled fiercely, and looked 
suspiciously at him as he came up ; and instead 
of making inquiries about Archie, as he had 
intended, Frank thrust his hands into his pock- 
ets, and strolled slowly toward the stables, 
peering in at the doors and windows, and 
keeping one eye on the Mexican, who closely 
watched every move he made. 

Archie has n’t had time to get far away,” 
thought Frank; ^^and no doubt he is roaming 
about the rancho, searching high and low for 
some evidence to confirm his ridiculous suspi- 
cions concerning Don Carlos; and that is 
something he won’t find, of course. That is a 
villainous-looking fellow,” he added, with an- 
other glance over his shoulder toward the 
Mexican, ^^and I should feel quite as well 
pleased if he would take less interest in my 


A HEAVY EEWAED. 


99 


movements. He acts as though he had been 
stationed there to watch me.^^ 

Frank finally found his way to the stables, 
but without discovering any signs of the miss- 
ing Archie, He found his horse there, and his 
cousin’s, standing quietly in their stalls; and 
he also saw several other fine animals, which 
the Hon had doubtless brought in there for 
protection from the horse-thieves. Frank did 
not think it very probable that he would lose 
any more of his stock, for the most expert 
robber would have found it a difficult task to 
effect an entrance through those well-secured 
doors; and, more than that, Frank noticed that 
there were several beds in a small room ad- 
joining the stable, and the garments, lassos, 
weapons, and other articles that Avere scattered 
about, showed that the apartment belonged to 
some of the Don’s Rancheros. The old Span- 
iard was not out on the rancho with his herds- 
men, as Frank had supposed, but he was in 
this room, holding an earnest conversation with 
some one who disappeared very suddenly and 
mysteriously when Frank thrust his head in at 
the door. The latter thought, by his actions, 


100 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


that the old Spaniard would rather not have 
been discovered; but he greeted his guest very 
cordially, and seeing that he was alone, made 
hurried inquiries for Archie. 

He is out somewhere looking around, I 
suppose,” answered Frank. No doubt he will 
turn up all right in a few minutes.” 

Ah, yes,” said the Don, with some anxiety 
in his tone ; but I would like to know vare 
he ish. Peppo ! you von grand rascal ! ” 

The young Mexican was on hand immedi- 
ately. Pie came out of a dark corner of the 
stable, to which he had retreated when Frank 
came in, and where he had stood watching 
him. 

Peppo ! ” continued his employer, it ’s 
petter you go find dis leetle poys, and tell him 
we will have some suppers now.” 

There was nothing in the old Spaniard’s 
words or manner to indicate that haste was de- 
sirable, but Beppo, perhaps, seeing or hearing 
something that escaped Frank’s notice, started 
off on a keen run. This seemed to be a signal 
to the Mexican who stood leaning against the 
door-post, for he walked rapidly across the 


A HEAVY REWAED. 


101 


court, and presently half a dozen Kancheros 
appeared and hurried about in different direc- 
tions, all searching for Archie. The Don 
watched their movements, and so did Frank. 
The former was evidently growing uneasy, and 
his guest certainly was. The Spaniard stepped 
nervously about, talking hurriedly in his broken 
English on indifferent matters, and laughing 
uproariously at his own jokes; and Frank 
glanced toward the gate-way as if he had half 
a mind to take to his heels. He believed, now, 
that it would have been much better for him 
if he had kept at a respectful distance from 
Don Carlos and his rancho. A dread of im- 
pending evil, which he could not shake off, 
began to press upon him; and it was plain to 
him that if he was not in a scrape already, he 
soon would be. It is true that nothing had 
been said to induce this belief, but he had seen 
and felt enough to satisfy him that such was 
the fact. In the first place, it seemed to him 
that an air of mystery brooded over the rancho, 
and that the Don, in spite of his cordial greet- 
ing and jovial manner, was trying to conceal 
something from him. He acted, now, as though 


102 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


he did not want him there. And then, the 
sadden appearance of those men was another 
thing that troubled Frank. Until within a 
moment he had seen but two persons on the 
rancho besides the Spaniard, but, at an in- 
stant’s warning, half a dozen herdsmen had 
sprung into view, and to save his life he could 
not tell where they had come from. They 
appeared at the same moment, and in different 
directions, as if they had come up out of the 
ground, or found their way into the court 
through secret trap-doors in the pavement. 
Why had they remained concealed? and what 
was the reason that Archie’s disappearance had 
created such a commotion among them ? Frank 
judged from the old Spaniard’s words that he 
was particularly anxious to know where Archie 
was, and what he was doing ; and this implied 
that there were things about the rancho that 
the Don did not want him to see. 

Frank’s uneasiness increased as the search 
progressed, and finally he became thoroughly 
frightened when he noticed the excited looks 
of the Kancheros as they hurried past him, 
and heard the angry, threatening words which 


A HEAVY REWARD. 


103 


they exchanged with one another* The Don 
began to be alarmed also. 

‘‘Veil! vell!^^ he exclaimed, looking back 
into the stable for the twentieth time, to assure 
himself that Archie^s horse was still there, 
“ vare ish dis leetle poys ? 

“He may have gone out,’^ replied Frank, 
with as much indiiference as he could com- 
mand. “1^11 step to the gate and look for 
him.^^ “And when I get there,’’ he added, 
mentally, “ I won’t stop. I ’ll show you Greas- 
ers some running that will make you wonder. 
A^ou may be all right in here, but I do n’t like 
your company.” 

Frank had great confidence in himself, and 
he was certain that if he could only get half 
way to the gate, he could elude any attempts 
that might be made to detain him. He had 
not the remotest idea, however, that any such 
attempts would be made. That would be a 
heinous offense in the eyes of the settlers, who 
would never allow it to pass unnoticed. Frank 
turned to leave the Don, but the latter stepped 
forward and laid^a heavy hand on his arm. “ I 
guess it ’s petter you do n’t go,” said he. 


104 


DON CAELOS’ KANCHO. 


Frank was thunderstruck. The old Span- 
iard's tone and manner showed him that he was 
in earnest, and he knew now that Archie’s 
suspicions were correct, and that he himself 
had been sadly mistaken in the opinions he 
had formed regarding his host. If he had 
been allowed his choice in the matter, he would 
much rather have been standing in front of 
that log, awaiting the onset of another Old 
Davy. He would have felt more certain of 
escape than he did now, surrounded as he was 
by those villainous Mexicans. A wonderful 
change had come over Don Carlos. His jovial, 
good-natured smile had given way to a terrible 
scowl, and his face was pale with rage or fear ; 
Frank could not tell which. With the next 
words he uttered, he threw ofiP the mask en- 
tirely, and appeared in his true character. 

This is von grand shwindle,” he exclaimed, 
making a sudden effort to seize Frank by the 
collar. I know now why you come here to 
mine house. Hi, Bedro ! make dat gate shut. 
It ’s petter you do n’t go, leetle poys.” 

It is better I do go,” replied Frank, quick- 
ly. I want you to understand that it will 


A HEAVY REWARD. 


105 


take a man with more muscle than you have 
got to detain me.’^ 

During the next two minutes the Don learned 
more of the qualities that go to make up a six- 
teen-year-old Young America, than he had ever 
known before. Frank was as quick as a cat in 
his movements, and he knew that if he hoped 
to escape from the rancho now was his time or 
never. Pedro was already hurrying toward the 
gate, to execute the commands of his employer, 
and if that gate was once closed on him, he 
was a prisoner. While the Old Spaniard was 
speaking, he thrust out his arm ; but his fin- 
gers, instead of fastening upon Frank’s collar, 
closed only upon the empty air. An instant 
afterward the boy was half way across the court, 
and he and Pedro were having a lively race for 
the gate ; while the Don stood watching them, 
his body bent forward, and his mouth and eyes • 
open to their widest extent. He could not un- 
derstand how Frank had escaped. The ease 
with which he had slipped out of his clutches 
bewildered him. But his inactivity did not 
long continue, for he speedily became aware 
that the clumsy Pedro was no match, in a 


106 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


hurried, off-hand foot-race, for the nimble young 
hunter. 

Hi ! hi ! he yelled, stamping his foot 
frantically on the pavement ; catch him ! 
catch him! Vat you making dere, Bedro? 
Von dousand tollars to de mans vot catches 
dat leetle poys ! Two! dree! five dousand!^’ 
he added, in a still louder tone, seeing that 
Frank was rapidly leaving Pedro behind, and 
nearing the gate. Ach ! mine heavens ! Ten 
dousand ! 

The fugitive heard every word he said, and his 
wonder, astonishment, and alarm increased pro- 
portionately with the rewards the Spaniard of- 
fered for his capture; and how intense must have 
been his amazement and terror when he heard the 
Don declare in frantic tones that he would give 
twenty, forty, and finally, fifty thousand dollars, 
if he was captured alive and unharmed. 

It is some consolation to know that he 
does nT mean to kill me,^^ thought Frank. I 
do iiT intend to let him take me prisoner, either. 
The offer of every cent he is worth, could not 
make those awkward Mexicans run fast enough 
to beat me in a fair race.’^ 


A heavy reward. 


107 


If Frank had run swiftly before, his head- 
way was fairly astonishing now. He exerted 
himself to the utmost, and flew over the ground 
at a rate of speed that the fleet-footed Dick 
Lewis himself would not have been ashamed of. 
A few leaps brought him to the gate, through 
which he went like an. arrow from a bow, and 
bent his steps toward the nearest patch of 
woods, which was about a quarter of a mile 
distant. The Kancheros followed him, but 
they might as well have tried to overtake a 
railway train, or a bird on the wing. 

Don Carlos was almost beside himself. He 
stood in the gate-way gazing after the fugitive, 
flourishing his arms wildly about his head, 
shouting orders to his men in Spanish and 
English, and calling upon Frank to stop and 
surrender himself a prisoner, or he would do 
something terrible to him. 

think it would be a good plan to catch 
me first,^^ said Frank, to himself, looking back 
at his pursuers. I am like Dick Lewis now: 
my enemies are all behind me, and I know I 
am safe. Hallo! What ^s that?^^ 

It was a bullet, which whistled through the 


108 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


air most uncomfortably near his head. An- 
other followed close after, and plowed up the 
ground in front of him, and then came the 
crack of two rifles in quick succession. Frank 
felt the cold chills creeping all over him ; and 
the next time he looked back he discovered 
several men, whom he had not seen before, 
hurrying out of the rancho with their weapons 
in their hands, followed by three on horseback. 
This was a most discouraging prospect. He 
did not stand in much fear of the bullets (al- 
though it was by no means pleasant to hear 
them whistling around him), but he was afraid 
of those mounted men. He could not hope to 
distance them, and he trembled when he thouglit 
of the fate in store for him when they came 
near enough to reach him with their lassos. 
If they did not choke him to death, they would 
take him back to the rancho a prisoner, and 
that would be almost as bad. Of course he 
did not intend that they should do either if he 
could prevent it. He was armed, and if they 
succeeded in overtaking him, he would show 
them how he could use a revolver. 

Frank had accomplished more than half the 


A HEAVY REWARD. 


109 


distance that lay between him and the woods 
before the horsemen came out; and he hoped 
to be able to reach its friendly shelter before 
they could come up with him. He did it, too, 
although his escape was a very narrow one. 
As he dashed into the bushes he heard the las- 
sos whistling through the air behind him, and 
he even felt the wind of one as it flew past 
his ear. But once fairly in the woods he was 
safe from those dreaded weapons. The Ban- 
cheros could not use their lariats among the 
trees, and neither did they attempt to follow 
him farther. They fired their pistols at him, 
and then began circling around the woods to 
cut him off from the creek, and place themselves 
between him and his home. 

Frank kept straight on into the woods for 
at least two miles, without once slackening his 
speed, and then turned and ran toward the 
creek. When he came within sight of it, he 
sat down on a log to recover his breath, and to 
listen for the sounds of pursuit. 

I thank my lucky stars that they are all 
Mexicans,^^ panted he, glancing suspiciously 
through the bushes on all sides of him. If 


110 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


there had been a few such rifle-shots among 
them as Dick Lewis and old Bob Kelly I should 
not be here now. Fifty thousand dollars! I 
little dreamed that I should ever have a price 
set upon my head.’^ 

For ten minutes Frank sat on the log, rest- 
ing after his long run, and thinking over the 
incidents that had transpired at the rancho. 
He believed now that Don Carlos was one of 
the robbers; the evidence against him was 
strong enough to satisfy any one of his guilt. 
The air of mystery with which every thing was 
conducted; the unusual number of men on the 
rancho ; the magical manner in which they had 
appeared the instant their services were needed ; 
the Spaniard's unreasonable alarm at Archie’s 
absence; and his attempts to detain Frank — 
all these things were against him. Frank un- 
derstood now what the Don meant when he said 
that he knew why the boys had come there. 
He probably mistrusted that the settlers were 
suspicious of him, and had sent Frank and 
Archie to his rancho to spy out something. If 
that was his idea, Frank thought it a very 
ridiculous one; for he might have known that 


A HEAVY REWARD. 


Ill 


two boys would not have been selected to carry 
out so dangerous an enterprise, while there were 
such men as Dick and Bob in the country. 
His guilty conscience made him betray him- 
self — that was the secret of the matter. 

Frank was not yet safe by any means. He 
knew that Don Carlos and his men would 
leave no stone unturned to effect his capture — 
it would be dangerous to them to allow him to 
go home after what had transpired at the ran- 
cho — and that they would search every nook 
and corner of the mountains, and hunt him 
down as they would a wolf. Still he had no 
fears for his own safety; but, now that the ex- 
citement of the race was over, he was deeply 
concerned about his cousin. There was a mys- 
tery attending his disappearance that he could 
not fathom. He hoped that Archie had left 
the room while he was reading, and that he 
had slipped out of the rancho and gone home. 
That was not much like his cousin’s way of 
doing business, but it was the only reasonable 
way in which he could explain his absence. 

That boy could not long exist without get- 
ting into some sort of a scrape,” said Frank; 


112 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


“ and if I ever put eyes on him again, I ’ll 
watch him more closely than I have done here- 
tofore.” 

Stand where you are ; do n’t move hand or 
foot,” said a gruff voice, breaking in upon his 
reverie. 

^ Frank sprang up, and found himself face to 
face with a Kanchero, who stood holding his 
rifle to his shoulder, with his finger resting on 
the trigger. 


AllCIIIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 


113 



CHAPTER yill. 

ARCHIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 

TF Don Carlos had only known where his miss- 
ing guest was all this while, and what he was 
doing, and what he was seeing, he would have 
had good cause for alarm. Archie was not at 
home, as Frank fondly hoped, nor was he out- 
side the rancho. He was in a worse predica- 
ment than he had ever been in before, and was 
learning some things about Don Carlos and his 
house that greatly astonished him. 

AYe said that the last time Frank saw him, 
he was standing before a large oil-painting in 
the room where the Spaniard had left them. 
It was a life-size picture of an Indian warrior; 
and so ‘well was it executed that, as Arcliio 
stood looking at it, he almost expected to see 
the savage open his lips to give the war- 
whoop, and then draw the bow which he car- 
8 


114 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


ried in his hand, and discharge an arrow at 
him. 

^^The man who painted that was an artist, 
and understood his business,^^ said Archie, to 
himself. have seen lots of those fellows, 
and that’s just the way they look.” 

Something in the picture, which he had not 
before noticed, caught his eye at this moment, 
and interrupted the thread of his soliloquy. 
The handle of the warrior’s hunting-knife, 
which he wore in his belt, was rounded off into 
a knob at the end, and Archie was sure that it 
stood out a little way from the canvas. He 
leaned forward and looked at it more closely, 
and sure enough it was a wooden button, which 
fitted into the end of the handle of the knife, 
and not a painted one. He stepped up and 
examined it with his fingers, and to his sur- 
prise it yielded to his touch. 

^^Now I’d like to know what this means,” 
thought he, pressing the knob harder than 
before. ^^This thing must be attached to a 
spring, because it comes back when I let go of 
it. W ell — by — gracious ! ” 

It was very seldom indeed that Archie used 


ARCHIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 


115 


any slang words, but sometimes, when he was 
greatly excited or astonished, he did like other 
boys — forgot all the good resolutions he had 
made regarding this bad habit. It was no wonder 
that he was amazed now, for the painting be- 
gan to move as if it had been suddenly endowed 
with life. It opened before him like a door, 
swinging swiftly back on a pair of invisible 
hinges, and revealing a narrow, winding stair- 
way which seemed to run down into a cellar 
beneath the outer wall. Archie stood like a 
wooden boy for a few seconds, his neck out- 
stretched, his eyes dilating and trying to pierce 
through the thick darkness which enveloped 
the stairs, and then, scarcely knowing what he 
was about, he stepped cautiously into the pas- 
sage. An instant afterward he would have given 
every thing he possessed, or ever expected to 
possess, if he had been a little more prudent; 
but then it was too late. The painting swung 
back to its place as swiftly and noiselessly as 
it had opened, and the smooth click of a spring- 
lock told Archie that he was a prisoner. He 
did not intend to remain one long, however. 
He understood the mystery of that secret door, 


116 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


and it would not be many seconds before be 
would get out again. Perhaps Frank would 
now be willing to look up from his book long 
enough to hear him tell of this wonderful dis- 
covery he had made; and perhaps, too, he 
would be ready to believe that he had some 
foundation for his suspicions. 

Talking thus to himself, Archie groped his 
way back to the painting (for now that the 
opening was closed the passage was as dark as 
midnight), and began to pass his hands over it, 
searching hurriedly for the concealed spring. 
He now found that the back of the picture 
was formed of heavy oak planks, nearly a foot 
in thickness; or, to make the matter clearer, 
the whole contrivance was simply a ponderous 
door, with the painting spread over one side 
of it to conceal it. But where was the spring? 
Archie ran his fingers over every inch of the 
door, from top to bottom, but could not find 
it. He examined every one of the planks 
separately, and finally turned his attention to 
the huge blocks of stone which formed the 
walls, in the hope that he might find the spring 
imbedded in one of them. Five minutes — ten 


ARCHIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 


117 


minutes — a quarter of an hour were passed in 
this way, and then Archie sank down upon the 
floor, all in a heap, panting and sweating as 
though he had been engaged in the most vio- 
lent exercise. His face was very pale, his 
hands trembled as though he were sufiering 
from an attack of the ague, and one to have 
seen him at that moment would have believed 
that he was almost overcome with fear. His 
words, however, did not indicate the fact. 

Now here ’s fun,’^ said he, with a desperate 
attempt to keep up his courage ; here ^s sport 
— here ^s joy by the wagon-load. I am cornered 
easy enough, and it serves me just right for 
prying about where I had no business. What 
will the Don say when he comes back and finds 
me gone 

As this thought passed through Archie’s 
mind, he sprang to his feet, the cold perspira- 
tion starting out anew from every pore in his 
body, and his heart beating fast and furiously. 
What would the old Spaniard think when he 
found that one of his guests was missing, and, 
above all, what would he dof If he was an 
innocent man, and Archie’s suspicions regard- 


118 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


ing him were without any foundation, he would 
hunt him up and release him ; there would be 
a hearty laugh all around ; and the Don would 
have a long story to tell about the passage-way, 
the reasons why he had built it, and the use 
he had made of it. But suppose that Archie’s 
suspicions were correct — that Don Carlos was 
really one of the robbers, and that the passage 
led to some underground cavern where he and 
his men concealed their plunder — what would 
he do w'hen he found that his secret had been 
discovered? Archie did not stop to answer 
this question, but once more searched all over 
the door for the spring; but with no better 
success than before. Then he pounded upon 
the door, and called his cousin ; but the walls 
were thick, and the sound of his voice did not 
reach Frank, who read on in blissful ignorance 
of what was transpiring on the other side of the 
painting. 

He must have gone out,” said Archie, now 
beginning to be thoroughly alarmed, ^^and I am 
left to my own resources, which are scarce, I 
can tell you. "What if one of the band should 
come up here with a light?” 


ARCHIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 


119 


Arcliie pulled his revolver from his pocket, 
faced about, and peered through the darkness 
in the direction of the stairs, listening intently, 
and almost imagining that he heard light foot- 
steps approaching. But^ he was alone in the 
passage-way, and having satisfied himself on 
this point, he leaned against the wall to think 
over the situation, and determine upon some 
course of action. 

^^It would be awkward to be caught here — 
for the robber, I mean, for it is my opinion 
that he would go down those stairs with much 
greater haste than he came up. Of course 
there must be two ends to this passage, and as 
I can not get out here, I must try some other 
way of escape. I can’t be in a much worse fix 
than I am now.” 

As Archie said this, he put his revolver into 
his pocket again, and began feeling his way 
along the wall toward the stairs. It was a 
dangerous undertaking, for the floor might be 
full of trap-doors, for all he knew, and one of 
them might open beneath his feet at any mo- 
ment, and let him down into some dungeon ; 
or, he might run against one of the robbers in 


120 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


the darkness, who would slip a lasso around 
his neck, and make a prisoner of him before 
he could raise an arm to defend himself. He 
reached the head of the stairs, however, with- 
out any such misfortune, and slowly and cau- 
tiously felt his way to the bottom. There he 
found himself in a passage-way which ran at 
right angles with the one above. After a mo- 
ment’s deliberation, he decided that if he fol- 
lowed it to the left it would lead him under 
the court (through which Frank was, at that 
very moment, running a race with Pedro for 
the gate), and that was the way Archie did not 
want to go. By turning to the right, if the 
passage ran far enough in that direction, he 
would reach the bank of the creek, and there 
he might find some way of escape. Having 
decided this point, he was about to move on 
again, when he was frightened nearly out of 
his senses by hearing a whisper close at his 
elbow : 

Beppo, is this you ? ” 

The fight for which Archie had been bracing 
his nerves ever since he first made up his mind 
to visit Don Carlos’ rancho, was to come off 


AECHIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 


121 


now- — he was sure of that. He was much 
calmer than he had thought he could be under 
such circumstances, but still he trembled vio- 
lently in every limb as he drew his revolver, 
and thrust it straight out before him in the 
direction from which the voice came. A person 
thinks rapidly when in danger, and during 
the moment’s pause that followed the question 
thus unexpectedly propounded to him, Archie 
thought over and rejected a dozen wild schemes 
which suggested themselves to him. One, how- 
ever, he accepted. He would reveal himself to 
the man, and if the latter would agree to show 
him the way above ground, it would be all 
right ; he would then be willing to believe that 
Don Carlos was an honest man, and that there 
was nothing" wrong about him or his rancho. 
But if the man made an outcry, and began 
shouting for help, or tried to secure him, he 
would give him some idea of American pluck 
and muscle. 

Beppo, is that you ? ” asked the voice again, 
in the same cautious whisper. Then, before 
Archie had time to act on the resolution he had 
just formed, the man, whoever he was, contin- 


122 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHTO. 


lied: ^^here are the keys. We shall be ready 
in half an hour. Follow this gang-way, and 
enter the first door on your left. Be sure and 
lock the door after you, because there ^s always 
somebody roaming about here, and you might 
be discovered. Do your work well, now, and 
the revolver is yours.^^ 

A moment^afterward Archie stood holding a 
bunch of keys in his hand, and listening with 
beating heart to the retreating footsteps of the 
man, who was hurrying toward the other end 
of the passage. He had never been more ex- 
cited and alarmed in his life. If the man had 
brought a lantern with him, the fight he had 
been expecting would certainly have come off. 

When the sound of the footsteps had died 
away, Archie drew a long breath of relief, and 
began to congratulate himself on his escape, 
and to repeat Avhat the man had said to him. 
Two things were evident : one was that he had 
been mistaken for Beppo, a Mexican boy about 
his own age who was employed on the rancho ; 
the other, that he had some sort of a secret 
commission to execute, and that for the faithful 
performance of his work, he would be rewarded 


AECHIE LEAENS SOMETHING. 


123 


by the present of a revolver. What that com- 
mission was, Archie neither knew or cared ; he 
had something of much more importance to 
think about. Suppose the man should happen 
to meet the genuine Beppo, and should find out 
that he had given the keys to somebody else! 
Would he not try to ascertain who that some 
one else was, and would n’t he call for help, and 
begin a thorough search of the rancho ? 

I have n’t a single instant to lose,” said 
Archie, to himself. Let me see ! I must 
follow this gang-way and open the first door 
on my left, and be sure and lock it after me. 
I do n’t much like to do it, for there is no 
knowing what I may find in that room. I 
hope one of these keys will let me out of this 
den of robbers.” 

So saying, Archie began to feel his way along 
the left wall of the passage, and presently came 
to the door of which the man had spoken, and 
which he succeeded in opening after trying 
several of his keys. Hastily passing through 
the door, he closed and locked it, and then be- 
gan to feel a little more secure ; although he did 
not know which way to turn next. If he kept 


124 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


straight ahead, he might come in contact with 
some object, or step upon one of those trap- 
doors he so much dreaded. After a little hesi- 
tation he placed his hands upon the wall, and 
began moving slowly around the apartment, 
but had not taken more than half a dozen steps 
before he ran against something. A moment’s 
examination showed him that it was a table, 
with several articles upon it— a bowie-knife, a 
brace of pistols, two or three lassos, a lantern, 
and a box of matches. These last were just 
what he had been wishing for. He lighted the 
lantern, and then turned to take a survey of 
the room. It proved to be a sort of armory 
and depot of supplies. The walls were covered 
with weapons, and saddles, bridles, blankets, 
ponchos, and numerous other articles of like 
description, were scattered about over the floor. 
A hundred horsemen could have been equipped 
from that room. 

As soon as Archie had satisfied himself that 
he was alone, he began to examine the objects 
about him a little more closely ; and almost the 
first thing his eyes rested on was a piece of 
property belonging to himself. 


ARCHIE LEARNS SOMETHING. 


125 


Is n’t it lucky that I did n’t speak to that 
man?^ he soliloquized. Did n’t I say that 
old Spaniard was one of the robbers? That’s 
my saddle. I would know it among a million. 
It is the very one that was on Sleepy Sam 
when Uncle James bought him in St. Joseph. 
Now, my horse is in this very rancho; and he 
is n’t far off, either. This settles the question 
of Don Carlos’ guilt.” 

Archie now became doubly anxious to effect 
his escape from the rancho. The man who had 
given him the keys had told him that some 
one was always roaming about those passage- 
ways, and as long as he remained there he was 
in danger of discovery. But he had said that 
if his horse was in that rancho, he would have 
him out, and he was going to keep his word. 
He would not think of going home until he 
had found him. Once on his back, and outside 
of the walls of the rancho, he could laugh at 
the robbers. If Roderick was there, he would 
take him, too. He hoped to be able to secure 
both horses, and make good his retreat without 
being discovered ; and if he could do that, 
would n’t he astonish his cousin when he came 


126 


DON CAKLOS^ KANCHO. 


home in the morning? But something pre- 
vented Archie from carrying out this plan. 
As it happened, Frank was the one who re- 
covered the horses ; and if it had not been for 
him and Boderick, Archie would never have 
mounted King James again. 

Archie’s first care was to take possession of 
the weapons he found on the table; then he 
raised his lantern, and took another survey of 
the room. He saw a door opposite to the one 
by which he had entered ; and when he had 
ophned it, he found that it led into a long, 
low apartment, which was used as a stable. It 
contained several horses, which the robbers had 
selected and kept on account of their great 
speed and endurance, and conspicuous among 
them stood Roderick and King James. 

Aha ! ” exclaimed Archie. 

Santa Maria ! ” cried somebody else. 

Archie looked up, and there was Beppo. His 
mouth and eyes were wide open, and he stood 
gazing at the intruder as if he could not quite 
make up his mind whether he was a solid flesh- 
and-blood boy, or only an apparition. The fight 
must come off now, and Archie was ready for it. 


AECniE AND BErrO. 


127 


CHAPTER IX. 

ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 

^ANTA MARIA ! ” exclaimed Beppo again, 
^ and this time in a very different tone of 
voice. He was friglitened now, and that was 
not to be wondered at ; for Archie stood hold- 
ing a pistol in each hand, and both of them 
were pointed straight at the Mexican’s breast. 

Do n’t shoot,” said he, drawing his head down 
between his shoulders, and raising one arm 
before his eyes. 

You are in no danger as long as you keep 
perfectly quiet, and do just as I tell you,” re- 
plied Archie, glancing about the stable to make 
sure there was no one else present. 

This assurance seemed to remove an immense 
load of apprehension from Beppo’s mind. He 
looked all over Archie, from head to foot, as if 
taking his exact measure, and finally demanded : 


128 


DON CADLOS' RANCHO. 


Wiiat do you want, and how did you get 
in here ? ” 

Do n’t talk so loud/’ commanded Archie, 
making a significant motion with his pistols. 

If you speak above a whisper again, you are 
a gone Greaser.” 

Well, what do you want here?” repeated 
Beppo, in a lower tone. 

I have no time to waste in answering ques- 
tions. Crawl out of that jacket.” 

The Mexican seemed to be very much as- 
tonished at this order, but, without an instant’s 
hesitation, he divested ' himself of his greasy, 
tattered garment, and threw it on the floor. 

^^Now that sombrero,” continued Archie. 

That’s all right. I shall be obliged to bor- 
row these articles for a little while, but, as I 
shall leave my own in their place, you will not 
lose much in case I fail to return them. When 
I get them on, I think I shall have no trouble 
in passing myself off for you. What are you 
doing in here?” 

I came after the gray and black,” replied 
Beppo, pointing toward Roderick and King 
James. 


ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 


129 


^^Well, if it is all tlie same to yon, I will 
take charge of them mys'elf. I have a better 
right to one of them, than you or any body 
else about the rancho. He was stolen from 
me. Greaser, and when I get home, I am going 
to make somebody smart for it.” 

I did n’t do it,” said Beppo. 

It is fortunate, for you that you did n’t,” 
replied Archie. If I thought you had a hand 
in it, I would take you down and give you a 
good drubbing. I ’d like to have a long talk 
with you about the strange things that are done 
here every night,” he continued, pulling off his 
neat jacket, and picking up the one Beppo had 
thrown upon the floor; ^^but just now I am 
too deeply interested in getting away from here, 
to bother my head about any thing else. I 
will put the saddles on the horses, and then I 

want you to show me ” 

Santa Maria ! ” yelled Beppo again. Help ! 
help!” 

There was no astonishment or terror in his 
voice this time. His favorite expression was 
uttered in a tone of triumph. Things looked 
exceedingly dark for Archie now, for he was 
9 


130 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


lying on his back in the middle of the floor, 
Beppo was kneeling on his breast, and the sta- 
ble was echoing with his lusty calls for assist- 
ance. Archie was greatly astonished, but he was 
not frightened. He was as cool as a cucumber. 

That's your game, is it?" said he. 
wouldn't be afraid to wager King James 
against any mustang in the country, that it 
won't succeed, for you've got hold of a Yan- 
kee now. I '11 open your eyes for you, in about 
a minute." 

Archie had come to believe, with Dick Lewis 
and Bob Kelly, that there was not a Mexican 
in the world who possessed the least particle 
of courage ; and consequently he did not watch 
his prisoner as closely as he ought to have 
done. Although Beppo was very much terri- 
fied at the sight of the pistols, he kept his wits 
about him, and while his captor was talking 
to him in his free-and-easy way, the young 
Mexican's mind was busy with plans for escape. 
While Archie was exchanging his jacket and 
sombrero for those belonging to Beppo, the 
latter thought he saw a chance to turn the 
tables on him. 


ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 


131 


Archie had a peculiar way of putting on a 
coat. He thrust both arms half way into the 
sleeves, then threw the coat over his head, 
straightened out his arms, and gave himself a 
shake or two to settle the garment into its 
place. It was when he had got the jacket about 
half way on, and both his arms were fast in 
the sleeves, that Beppo sprang forward like a 
young tiger, and catching him around the body, 
threw him to the ground. He accomplished 
this with so much ease, that he thought he was 
sure to win a decided victory. 

Give up that pistol,” said he, savagely. 

I Ve got you now.” 

^^That remains to be seen,” replied Archie, 
with a coolness that astounded the Mexican. 

There ^s no knowing who is governor until 
after the election.” 

Archie, although taken at great disadvantage, 
struggled desperately, and to such good purpose 
that he succeeded in freeing his arms from the 
jacket; and then the matter was quickly de- 
cided. Beppo was turned over on his back in 
a twinkling, and Archie, holding him down 
with one hand, drew the lantern toward him 


132 


DON CAELOS' EANCHO. 


with the other, and extinguished it; for he 
heard footsteps approaching. Beppo’s cries 
had reached the ears of some of the people of 
the rancho, and they were hurrying to his as- 
sistance. He would have continued to shout 
for help, but the cold muzzle of a pistol, which 
he felt pressed against his head, restrained him. 

Archie did not know what to do now. His 
first impulse was to spring up and take to his 
heels; but, if he did, what should he do with 
his prisoner? He might have compelled him 
to accompany him in his flight, but Beppo was 
a clumsy fellow, and having no reasons for 
wishing to conceal his movements, he would, 
no doubt, make noise enough to guide the Ban- 
cheros in the pursuit. If Archie left him be- 
hind, he would begin shouting for help again; 
and if he had not already alarmed every one 
on the rancho, it would not take him long to 
do so. The only plan he could think of was 
to remain with his captive, and keep him quiet 
by threatening him with his pistol, trusting to 
the darkness to prevent his discovery. 

Do n’t dare open your head,” said Archie, 
fiercely. 


ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 


133 


Tliere was scarcely any need of this injunc- 
tion. Beppo never once thought of moving 
a muscle, while that pistol was so near him, 
and he lay as silent and motionless upon 
the floor as if he had been turned into a block 
of stone. 

The footsteps continued to approach, and 
presently the light of a lantern flashed through 
the darkness, revealing to Archie a grated door 
at the farther end of the stable, which he had 
not before noticed. Looking through the door, 
he saw two Eancheros hurrying along the pas- 
sage, one of them holding his lantern above 
his head, and both trying to peer through the 
darkness to see what was going on in the sta- 
ble. They had not yet seen Archie, but they 
certainly would discover him when they reached 
the door, for he was close in front of it. He 
must get back out of sight, and he had but a 
single instant in which to do it. Springing 
quickly to his feet, he seized the. astonished 
Beppo by the collar, with both hands, and be- 
fore he could make up his mind what was going 
to happen, he was lying on his back in Eod- 
erick’s stall, with Archie on top of him ; and 


134 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


the mustang was looking down at them as if 
wondering what they were doing there. Scarce- 
ly had this movement been accomplished, when 
the Rancheros arrived at the door; but, to 
Archie’s immense relief, they did not attempt 
to open it. The reason was because the door 
was locked, and the key was attached to the 
bunch in Archie’s pocket. They held the lan- 
tern close against the bars, and peered into the 
stable. 

He is n’t here,” Archie heard one of them 
whisper, at length. 

He must be,” replied the other. I know 
those shouts came from the stable. Beppo, are 
you in there ? ” 

The young Mexican heard the question, and 
would have been glad to answer, if. Archie’s 
pistol had not been held so close to his head. 
The men waited and listened for a reply, but 
hearing none, the one who had last spoken con- 
tinued : 

I can see those horses in there, and they 
are not saddled. He has had plenty of time to 
bring them out, for I gave him the keys ten 
minutes ago.” 


ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 


135 


Santa Maria ! ” said Beppo, in an aston- 
ished whisper. 

Silence ! ” commanded Archie. 

But he did n’t give me any keys,” persisted 
the prisoner, whose surprise was so great that 
he forgot all about the dangerous proximity of 
the pistol. 

Keep still, I say ! ” repeated Archie ; and 
as the order was followed by a firmer pressure 
of the muzzle of the weapon against his head, 
the young Mexican thought it best to com- 

ply- 

Where do you suppose those shouts came 
from ? ” asked one of the men at the door. 

I don’t know,” replied the other; ^^and, 
what is more, I do n’t care. What could have 
become of that rascal Beppo ; and why do n’t 
he bring out those horses ? that ’s what ’s 
troubling me. If we do n’t find him very soon, 
our plans will all be knocked in the head.” 

The men seemed to be very much concerned 
about the young Mexican, and that was a point 
in Archie’s favor; for they did not remain 
long at the door, but set out in search of him. 
Archie watched the light through the grated 


136 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


door until it disappeared, and then began to 
question his prisoner. 

What's up here, any how?'^ he demanded. 
^^What did those men want you to do?'^ 

Nothing," replied Beppo. 

^^Yes they did. You can't fool me, for I 
am better posted than you think I am. Where 
do you suppose those keys are ? " 

I do n't know." 

‘^Well, I do; and I know, too, that those 
men promised you a revolver for doing some 
work for them." 

Who told you so?" asked Beppo, more as- 
tonished than ever. 

No matter. I have a way of finding out 
such things. What did those men want you 
to do? No fooling, now." 

Beppo felt the muzzle of the pistol again, 
and the secret came out all at once. 

They wanted me to bring those two horses 
out of the stable for them," said he. ^^They 
are tired of staying here, and want to go away. 
They intend to take the Don's money, too — 
the gold he keeps in his bed-room. They want 
the gray and black horses because they are the 


ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 


137 


swiftest in the country ; and if they are fol- 
lowed, they can’t be caught.” 

^^Well,” said Archie, when his prisoner 
paused, go on, and tell me what else you 
know.” 

Beppo knew a good deal, and it took him 
some time to tell it ; but Archie, impatient as 
he was, listened attentively to all he had to 
say — not because he was curious to learn some- 
thing of the every-day life of the robbers, but 
for the reason that he hoped his prisoner would 
let fall some item of information that would 
assist him in making his escape from the ran- 
cho. He learned that Beppo was the stable- 
boy, and that it was a part of his duty to bring 
out the gray and black ” every evening, at 
sunset, for two of the Eancheros, who mounted 
them and rode off somewhere; and the next 
morning Beppo would find two or three, and 
sometimes half a dozen, strange horses in the 
stable. The stolen nags were driven into Texas 
every week, and sold there ; and the reason 
why Roderick and King James had been kept, 
was because they were known to be very fleet, 
and the robbers wanted to use them. One 


138 


BON OAELOS^ RANCHO. 


piece of information that greatly astonished 
Archie was, that, although there were fifty men 
on the Don’s rancho, they did not number a 
third of the band. The others were scattered 
all over the southern part of the State, and 
were employed as herdsmen by the farmers, 
who little suspected that they were in league 
with the robbers. Beppo said there were some 
on Mr. Winters’s rancho, but he did not know 
who they were. Their business was to send 
the Don, who was chief of the band, any in- 
formation they might gain concerning the fast 
horses on their own and neighboring ranchos, 
and Pedro and another herdsman would go out 
and steal them. These two men did all the 
stealing; and Archie judged from Beppo’s de- 
scription of their exploits that they were very 
expert at the business. They always rode Bod- 
erick and King James, and the swift animals 
brought them home in safety, in spite of the 
most desperate attempts that had been made to 
capture them. 

The keys to the stable and to all the rooms 
in the underground part of the rancho, w^ere 
kept in the Don’s bed-room. One of the dis- 


ARCHIE AND BEPPO. 


139 


contented members of the band had stolen 
them, and, as he supposed, given them to 
Beppo, whom he had hired with the promise 
of a revolver to bring the horses out about 
half an hour before the usual time. When 
the mutineers saw the horses in the court, they 
were to make a sudden raid on their employer's 
bed-room, secure as much gold as they could 
carry, and then rush out, jump into their sad- 
dles, and leave the rancho with all possible 
speed. * 

Archie was silent for some minutes after 
Beppo ceased speaking. He was thinking what 
a skillful manager the Spaniard must have been 
to have successfully conducted the operations 
of so extensive an organization, without even 
exciting suspicion. And what astonishing im- 
pudence the old fellow had, too ! Archie re- 
membered that upon one occasion, during a 
general hunt after the horse-thieves, in which 
the Don had taken an active part, he had in- 
vited a dozen men and boys to his rancho, and 
served them up an excellent dinner. What 
would those guests have thought if they had 
known that they were being entertained by the 


140 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


chief of the very robbers they were trying to 
hunt down ? And to think, too, that some of 
the band were employed on his uncle’s rancho — 
that he had seen them every day, and talked 
and ridden with them! Archie told himself 
that there would be some exciting times in the 
settlement before all these robbers could be 
brought to justice, and the probabilities were 
that somebody would get hurt. He did . not 
care how soon the fight began, for then he 
would have a chance to take satisfaction out of 
somebody for stealing his horse. Archie pon- 
dered upon these things, until it occurred to 
him that it would be a good plan for him to 
effect his escape before he began his war upon 
the robbers, and this thought once more aroused 
him to a sense of his situation. 

Where did these mutineers intend to go?” 
he asked, at length. 

To Texas,” replied Beppo. 

‘^Well, they sha’n’t do it — that’s settled. 
Before'! will allow them to take these horses 
out of the country, I will hunt up the Don and 
blow the whole thing.” 

don’t do that,” pleaded the prisoner, 


ARCHIE’ AND BEPPO. 


141 


who seemed terror-stricken at the bare thought. 

He will shoot me.” 

I would n^t like to have you shot, Greaser,” 
replied Archie, but I tell you that my horse 
is not going to Texas. There is one way in 
which you can save yourself, and that is by 
leading me out of this hole by the safest and 
most direct route. Then the Don need know 
nothing' about it; but just as surely as I am 
captured down here, I ’ll repeat to him every 
thing you have said to me.” 

I can’t lead you out,” replied Beppo. ‘^The 
doors are all locked.” 

We don’t care if they are. I’ve got the 
keys.” 

You ! Santa Maria ! ” 

‘^It’s a fact,” answered Archie; ^^but how I 
got them I need not now stop to explain. What 
do you say. Greaser? Will you show me the 
way out?” 

Yes,” gasped the young Mexican, who 
knew, from the peremptory manner in which 
the pistol was pressed against his head, that it 
was dangerous to hesitate longer. Do n’t 
shoot ! I will.” 


142 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


That ’s all right,” said Archie. I^ow, to 
put it out of your power to play any tricks 
upon me, I shall tie your hands behind your 
back with your own sash — so. Then I will 
take mine, and pass it around your ankles, in 
this way.” 

I can’t walk, if you do that,” interrupted 
Beppo ; and if I can’t walk, how can I show 
you the way out ? ” 

Do n’t you be uneasy. I sha’n’t draw the 
sash tight enough to interfere much with your 
walking ; but if you try to run, it is probable 
that you will be tripped up very suddenly. 
Now, then,” he continued, after he had satisfied 
himself that his prisoner was secure, and that 
he could not possibly free himself from his 
bonds, stand here until I put the saddles on 
those horses. Who ’s that ? ” 

At this moment heavy footsteps sounded on 
the floor overhead, and a light suddenly flashed 
down into the stable. Archie looked up, and 
saw a pair of feet descending a ladder, leading 
down from a small trap-door which opened into 
the apartment over the stable. Shortly after- 
ward a villainous looking Banchero came in 


AKCHIE AND BEPPO. 


143 


sight, and holding his lantern at arm’s length 
before him, stooped down and glanced all 
around the stable, as if he were looking for 
some one. Archie was so badly frightened that 
he could not move; and his alarm increased, 
and his heart seemed to stop beating, when the 
man’s eyes, after roving all about ‘the stable, 
rested on his face. This was the time to test 
his disguise. 

Beppo,” said the Mexican, in a gruff voice, 
bring out the horses.” 

As he spoke he placed his lantern upon one 
of the steps of the ladder, and ascended out 
of sight through the trap-door. 


144 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


CHAPTER X. 

ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH.* 

was that?^^ whispered Archie, in a 
^ ’ trembling voice. 

Pedro/^ replied the young Mexican. 

What did he want ? 

He told me to bring up the gray and black ; 
he is going out to steal horses, now,^^ said Beppo, 
with the same indifference he would have mani- 
fested if he had said that Pedro was about to 
drive up a herd of cattle. 

For a moment Archie stood, almost without 
breathing, looking up at the trap-door through 
which the Ranchero had disappeared. His 
heart beat so fast and furiously that he was 
almost afraid the man might hear it, and come 
back to see what was the matter. At first he 
did not know what to do ; but, after a few sec- 
onds’ reflection, the details of a scheme which 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 


145 


he had matured while Beppo was telling him 
about the plans of the mutineers, flashed through 
his mind, and he began to bestir himself. 

Since he entered the stable and found his 
horse there, he had more than once told him- 
self that if he could only contrive some way 
to get the animal above ground, he could laugh 
at all the Rancheros in Southern California. 
He would jump on his back, and go through 
the court, and out of the gate, at a rate of speed 
that would make Don Carlos and his band of 
rascals wonder; but the difficulty was to get 
the horse up there without being obliged to 
answer questions. As far as his disguise was 
concerned, he was not at all uneasy. He was 
so nearly Beppo’s size that the jacket fitted 
him exactly; and his journey across the plains, 
and constant exposure to the hot sun, had 
tanned his face until it was almost as brown 
as an Indian’s. It was just the color of Bep- 
po’s — not quite so dirty, of course, but that 
was something the Mexicans would not be likely 
to notice. Besides, Archie was a capital mimic, 
and he knew that, if he was questioned, he could 
imitate his prisoner’s way of talking, Spanish 
10 


146 


DON CARIiOS’ RANCHO. 


twang and all. He had the keys, too, with 
which he could open any doors he might find 
in his way ; but suppose he should meet some 
of the band, and they should ask him where 
he was going, and what he intended to do with 
the horses— what reply could he make? Now, 
however, he had no fears on that seore. Pedro 
had made every thing easy for him. Mistaking 
him for Beppo, he had ordered him to bring 
up the horses ; and if he met any one who took 
"an interest in his movements, he would know 
how to answer them. 

I ^11 soon be out of here,’^ said Archie, to 
himself; ^^and Avhen I once find myself fairly 
in that court, won’t I astonish these Greasers ? 
Uncle said this morning that if we could shoot 
Old Davy and arrest the horse-thieves, he 
would be glad of it. We ’ve finished the griz- 
zly, and if we can’t capture the robbers, we 
will at least have the satisfaction of knowing 
that we have broken up the band, and got our 
horses back. But I believe we can gobble up 
every one of them. When I get home I’ll 
tell Carlos to send out uncle’s herdsmen, and 
we will arouse the settlement, and raise a crowd 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 


147 


of men, and come here and storm the rancho. 
I dl have a chance then to see a fight and smell 
powder.^^ 

Many a time, while talking over the particu- 
lars of the battle which had taken place years 
before at Mr. Winterses rancho, Archie had 
expressed the hope that another band of free- 
booters would turn up before he left California, 
and make a second attack on the building. He 
had passed through a fight with hostile Indians ; 
had heard the whistle of their bullets and ar- 
rows ; and he thought that all that was needed 
to complete the list of his adventures, was the 
opportunity of taking part in a siege of a week 
or two. If every thing worked according to 
his calculations, it was probable that his wish 
would be gratified. How the robbers would 
fight when they found their stronghold sur- 
rounded by the settlers ; and what desperate 
attempts they would make to cut their way 
out ! How the rifles would crack ! and how 
Dick Lewis and Bob Kelly would yell and 
exult at finding themselves once more in their 
natural element ! Archie became highly ex- 
cited over the prospect. 


148 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Archie’s first care was to provide for the 
safe keeping of his prisoner, which he did by 
binding his handkerchief over his mouth, and 
pushing him under Roderick’s manger, where 
he tied him fast; Beppo submitting to the 
operation without a murmur. His next work 
was to prepare the horses for their plundering 
expedition, which he had fully determined 
should not prove a success that night. A sad- 
dle, which hung upon a peg close at hand, was 
soon strapped on the mustang’s back ; but when 
Archie had slipped the bridle over his head, a 
thought struck him, and he stopped and looked 
reflectively down at his prisoner. 

I shall have to untie this fellow again,” 
said he, for I do n’t know which way to go. 
These passage-ways run about in every direc- 
tion, and I might get lost; then, if some of 
the band should meet me, they would know in 
a minute that. I was n’t Beppo. Whoa, there ! 
Where are you going, Roderick?” 

While Archie was talking to himself, the 
mustang backed out of his stall, and walked 
quietly to the grated door at the farther end 
of the stable, where he stopped, and seemed to 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 


149 


be waiting for some one to come and let him 
out. He had become quite familiar with his 
new quarters ; and Archie knew then that he 
had only to let Roderick take his own course, 
and he would lead him straight to the court. 
He quickly put the saddle on his own horse, 
and he also backed out of his stall, and took 
his stand beside Roderick, in front of the 
grated door. So far every thing was working 
to Archie’s satisfaction ; but the dangerous part 
was yet to come, and he trembled Avhen he 
thought of it. He carefully examined his re- 
volver, hid his bowie-knife in his boot, and 
put the pistols, which he had found on the 
table, into his trousers’ pockets. Then he 
pulled out his bunch of keys, picked up the 
lantern, and started toward the door. He re- 
gretted an instant afterward that he had not 
left the lantern ; for as he glanced toward the 
door, he saw a face pressed close against the 
bars, and a pair of eyes glaring at him with a 
most ferocious expression. Archie stopped 
suddenly, undecided how to act. Had the man 
penetrated his disguise? That question was 
quickly answered to his satisfaction by the 


150 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


E-anchero, who clenched his hand and shook it 
at him, saying, in a savage whisper : 

You have n't heard the last of this, my 
young friend. I 'll settle with you as soon as 
you have taken those horses up." 

The man gave his fist another shake to em- 
phasize his words, and then left the door and 
hurried down the passage; but, before he dis- 
appeared in the darkness, Archie obtained a 
good view of him, and recognized him as one 
of the mutineers whom he had seen at the door 
a few minutes before. Archie understood his 
words perfectly. The Eanchero was very 
angry at Beppo for his failure to carry out his 
part of the contract, and had made up his 
mind to punish him for it at some future time. 
He did try to whip somebody ; but, as it hap- 
pened, he got hold of the wrong man, and 
came out second best. 

He 's gone," said Arehie, drawing a long 
breath of relief, and I think I may venture 
out. I would n't be in Beppo's boots for a 
quarter, when that man meets him. I belieVe 
I am the luckiest fellow in the world; for 
whenever I get into a scrape, I always find an 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 151 


easy way out of it.’’ As he said this, he thought 
of the scrape ” he had had that morning with 
Old Davy, and told himself he had not come 
out of that so very easily after alL He still 
felt the effects of his fall in his nose and shoul- 
der. If any body had asked me half an hour 
ago what I thought of the situation,” he con- 
tinued, I should have said that the prospect 
was not very flattering. I expected to have a 
terrible fuss with these Greasers; but, just in 
the nick of time, a mutineer comes up, mistakes 
me for an accomplice, gives me a bunch of 
keys, and thus makes it the easiest matter in 
the world for me to effect my escape. It is 
really wonderful.” 

Archie at last succeeded in finding a key to 
fit the lock, the door swung open, and the 
horses went out and started down the passage- 
way, Archie following close at their heels. Now 
that he had a light, and could distinguish ob- 
jects about him, he wondered at the number 
and extent of the passages. They ran about 
in all directions, and the horses turned first 
into one, and then into another, and twisted 
about until lie began to believe that they had 


152 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


lost their way. But they knew where they 
were going, and in a few minutes they brought 
Archie in sight of a door which led into the 
court. The door was open, and there were 
half a dozen men standing in front of it, among 
whom was Don Carlos, who seemed to be highly 
excited about something ; for he was flourishing 
his arms wildly around his head, and talking 
at the top of his voice. If Archie had known 
what a race Frank had had through that court 
a little while before, and what had happened 
to him since, it would have increased his own 
excitement and alarm, if such a thing were 
possible. He believed that his cousin was still 
seated comfortably in the room where he had 
left him, reading his book, and all uJiconscious 
of Archie’s absence. 

He will stay here all night in perfect se- 
curity,” Archie had said, whenever he thought 
of Frank, and to-morrow, when he comes 
home, he will hardly be willing to believe me 
when I tell him what I have seen, and what I 
have been through. The Don will treat him 
like a gentleman, of course; but what would 
he do to me if he should find that I am down 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 153 


in this cellar learning^ all his secrets? I’d be 
gone up, sure. I wonder if the old fellow has 
discovered my absence, and what he thinks of 
it!” 

The Don, as wc know, had discovered his 
absence, and was greatly alarmed thereat, fear- 
ing that Archie might have found his way into 
the under-ground portions of the raneho, and 
learned something that was not intended for 
him to know. Having returned from his chase 
after Frank (with what success we shall see 
presently), he was determined to ascertain what 
had become of Archie; and a dozen of his 
Bancheros were at that very moment searehing 
for him in every nook and corner of the pas- 
sage-wayff. 

When Archie discovered the men at the 
door, he knew that the tug of war was coming. 
His disguise had already been tested by Pedro 
and one of the mutineers, and their suspicions 
had not been aroused in the slightest degree; 
but how would it be when he came out into 
the court, which was brilliantly lighted up with 
lanterns? He was quite certain of one thing, 
and that was, if the Don recognized him, and 


154 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


wanted to stop him, he must do it before he 
reached the court; for after that it would be 
impossible. If he could only put his eyes on 
the gate, he was safe. That was what Archie 
thought as he extinguished his lantern, and 
spoke in a low tone to the horses, which stopped 
instantly. Mounting King James, he gathered 
the reins firmly in his left hand, seized the 
mustang’s bridle with his right, and in another 
moment was dashing at full speed up the de- 
clivity that led to the door. He was right in 
the midst of the Mexicans before they knew 
it. Two of them were sent headlong to the 
ground, and the Don only saved himself from 
being run down, by a jump that was remark- 
able for one of his years. They were all scat- 
tered right and left, and the way was clear to 
the gate. 

Good-by, Don Carlos ! ” shouted Archie, so 
excited and elated that he could scarcely speak ; 

I ’ll be back in half an hour.” 

No words could describe the Spaniard’s be- 
wilderment and alarm. He recognized Archie’s 
voice, knew in an instant that his worst fears 
had been realized, and saw the necessity of 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 155 


preventing him from leaving the rancho. He 
stood gazing in astonishment at the swiftly- 
moving horses and their daring rider ; and be- 
fore he could recover the use of his tongue, 
they were half way across the court. 

Ach, mine heavens ! roared the Don, 
jumping about over the ground like one de- 
mented; ^^mine dear heavens ! Here ish dis 
leetle poys ! Shtop him, dere ! Dis ish von 
grand shwindle!^^ 

There were half a dozen Rancheros in the 
court, besides those who had been conversing 
with the Spaniard, and Archie’s sudden ap- 
pearance created a great commotion among 
them. They ran about in every direction, some 
shouting for their pistols, and others calling for 
their lassos; but not one among them was 
daring enough to attempt to stop him. They 
might as well have tried to stop a locomotive 
or a steamboat. The horses bounded across 
the court with terrific speed, and nothing short 
of a rifle-ball or lasso would have checked 
them. Archie’s face was very pale, but it be- 
trayed not the slightest sign of fear. It wore 
a determined, reckless look, and it was easy 


156 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


enough to see that he was not to be daunted 
by any obstacles or dangers he might find be- 
fore him. He would have remorselessly run 
down all the herdsmen on the rancho, if they 
haj placed themselves in his way. 

Archie thought now that his escape was but 
a question of time — of seconds ; but there was 
one obstacle in his way that he had not calcu- 
lated upon, and that was the gate. When he 
came in sight of it, what was his dismay to 
find that it was closed ! The heavy oak bars 
were in their places; and the gate was so well 
secured, that before he eould dismount and 
open it, the yelling, angry Mexicans, who were 
closing in from all sides, would be down upon 
him in a body. He was cornered — caught. 
His desperate plan for escape, which had been 
so brilliantly commenced, and which at first 
promised to suceeed even beyond his expecta- 
tions, had resulted in utter failure. He wished 
now that he had remained hidden in some of 
the under-ground rooms until dark. 

The horses stopped when they reached the 
gate, and Archie turned in his saddle and took 
a survey of the situation. The court was filled 


ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 157 


with men now — for the most of those who had 
been searching the passage-ways had come up — 
and they were all running toward him, swing- 
ing their lassos, and brandishing their knives 
and pistols as if they intended to use them as 
soon as they could get their hands upon him. 
A more ferocious looking set of men he had 
never seen. 

Had Archie been placed in this situation a 
few months before, it is probable that he would 
have been frightened out of his wits, and that 
he would have surrendered without making any 
further attempts at escape. But he had been the 
hero of some exciting adventures since he left 
Lawrence, and, to some extent, he had become 
familiar with danger. Besides, he was natu- 
rally brave and resolute, and believing from 
the actions of his enemies, and the expression 
he saw in their faces, that it was their inten- 
tion to take a summary vengeance upon him, 
he resolved to fight for life and liberty as long 
as he had strength enough to move an arm. 
He had nothing to gain by surrendering him- 
self into the hands of the Mexicans ; he might 
gain every thing by resisting them to the last. 


158 


DON CADtOS’ RANgnO. 


^^Now, dis isli all right ! yelled the Don, 
when he saw Archie hesitating at the gate, and 
his men closing around him. We have got 
dis leetle poys. Hi ! Bedro, vat you makin^ 
dere ? Ah ! Mine heavens ! 

The change in the old Spaniard’s tone was 
caused by an action on the part of Archie, which 
astonished every body in the court. Dropping 
Boderick’s bridle, he suddenly wheeled his 
horse and dashed furiously toward the Ban- 
cheros, who scattered before him like a flock 
of turkeys. As he passed through their ranks, 
several lassos were thrown at him ; but Archie 
had learned how to avoid these weapons, and 
by lying flat along his horse’s neck, he escaped 
being pulled from his saddle. He galloped 
toward the nearest door, and without trying to 
stop his horse, threw himself to the ground, 
and disappeared in the hall like a flasl:|0 A 
few rapid steps brought him to the room to 
which the Don had conducted him on his ar- 
rival at the rancho. He did not stop to look 
for his cousin, for he knew that if Frank had 
been there, the confusion and noise in the court 
would have brought him out. He ran straight 


AECHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH. 


159 


to the painting of the Indian warrior, pressed 
the button in the handle of the knife, and when 
the door opened before him, he dashed through 
and ran along the dark passage with reck- 
less speed ; — the smooth click of the spring-lock 
telling him that the picture had swung back 
to its place. Pie still had the bunch of keys, 
which he intended to preserve as a memento 
of his visit to Don Carlos’ rancho, and his 
object now was to reach the room adjoining 
the stable, and lock himself in. He concluded, 
from something Beppo had said, that there was 
but one set of keys to all these rooms ; and he 
had the satisfaction of knowing that if that 
was the case, the robbers could not capture 
him until they had cut down every door in the 
rancho. He would retreat as they advanced, 
locking* all the doors behind him : and when 
at last he was brought to bay, he would use 
his revolver. 

The passage was so dark that Archie could 
not see his hand before him ; and how he ever 
got down the stairs without breaking his neck 
he did not know. He accomplished the descent 
in safety, however, and there his good fortune 


160 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


ended. As he jumped into the passage at the 
foot of the stairs, he came in violent contact 
with some one who instantly seized him and 
held him fast. 

Who ’s this ? demanded a grufP voice. 

Santa Maria!” cried Archie. 

“You young rascal!” continued the man, in 
a tone of great satisfaction. “ I \e got you 
now, and I am going to give you the best 
dressing down you have had in a twelve- 
month.” Something whistled sharply in the 
darkness, and Archie felt the effects of a sting- 
ing blow from a rawhide in the hands of his 
invisible antagonist. 


A COMPANION IN TIIOUBLE. 


161 


CHAPTER XI. 


A COMPANION IN TEOUBLE. 

RCHIE recognized the voice which ad- 



dressed him, and knew who his antagonist 
was. He was one of the mutineers — the same 
who had given him the keys, and who had 
shaken his fist at him as he was leading out 
the horses. Supposing Archie to be Beppo, he 
had loitered about in the passage awaiting his 
return to the stable, intending to take an ample 
revenge upon him. ^The horses not being on 
hand at the right time, the plans of the muti- 
neers were completely upset; and of course 
they were highly enraged. 

Although Archie was greatly astonished and 
alarmed at finding himself thus unceremoni- 
ously assaulted, he comprehended the situation 
in an instant, and acted accordingly. He knew 
that as long as the man supposed him to be 


11 


162 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Beppo, he would use nothing but his rawhide 
on him, and Archie thought he could stand 
that; but, if he made himself known, the 
Banchero would drop his whip, and resort to 
his knife, and that was something Archie could 
not stand. When he uttered Beppo’s favorite 
expression, he exactly imitated his voice; and 
the man, believing that he had got hold of the 
right one, clung to his collar, and belabored 
him most unmercifully with his rawhide. 

Santa Maria yelled Archie, smarting 
under the blows, and writhing like an eel in 
the strong grasp that held him. 

You ’ll fool me again, will you?” said the 
Eanchero, with grim satisfaction. ^^A^ou’ll 
break your promise, won’t you ? Why did n’t 
you bring up those horses? How does that 
feel, you rascal?” 

The sensation was by no means an agreeable 
one. The herdsman, who was a powerful fel- 
low, showered his blows with all his strength, 
and his victim struggled in vain to escape from 
his clutches. Then he tried to slip out of his 
jacket; but the Eanchero detected the move, 
and shifted his grasp from Archie’s collar to 


A COMPANION IN TROUBLE. 


1G3 


his hair. The torture soon became almost un- 
bearable, and Archie was more than once on 
the point of losing heart and crying out; but 
just at the right time his courage came again 
to his aid, and shutting his teeth firmly to- 
gether, he braced his nerves, and took the pun- 
ishment without a murmur. But he did not 
cease his struggles. He ducked his head, and 
jumped and squirmed about in a way that 
made it extremely difficult for his antagonist 
to hit him ; but if he escaped one blow, the 
next one he received came with redoubled 
force ; and becoming satisfied at lask that it 
was the man’s intention to whip him to death, 
he grew desperate, and did something that 
ended the battle in an instant. Thrusting his 
hand into his pocket, he drew out one of the 
long, heavy pistols which he had found on the 
table, and grasping it by the barrel, he struck 
his enemy a blow in the face which felled him 
like an ox under the ax of the butcher. In 
falling, he pulled Archie to the floor with him, 
but he did not hold him there, nor did he at- 
tempt it. He raised both hands to his head, 
and set up a roar that awoke a thousand echoes 


164 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


in the passage; and Archie, finding himself at 
liberty, scrambled to his feet and ran for life. 
He did not know where or in w^hat direction 
he was going, nor did he give the matter a mo- 
ment’s thought. His only desire was to get as 
far away from his antagonist as possible, and 
to conceal himself in one of the rooms. He 
would have given something now to have had 
a lantern, for it was far from being a pleasant 
thing to stumble about in that intense dark- 
ness, through those unknown passage-ways. 
A light might have discovered him to his ene- 
mies, but he told himself that he would much 
rather run that risk, than be continually har- 
rassed by the fear of running against some of 
the band before he knew it, or of falling through 
some secret trap-door. But luck 'was on his 
side. There were no trap-doors in his way, 
and the robbers Avere all up-stairs, overturning 
every thing in their frantic search for him. 
He groped his way along with all possible 
speed, and finally, believing himself safe from 
pursuit for the present, he stopped"' to take 
breath, and to determine upon his future course. 

What Avas to be done now? that was the 


A COMPANION IN TEOUBLE. 


165 


question. He was in a bad scrape, and could 
see no way to get out of it. He rubbed liis 
aching shoulders, and thought of the remark 
he had so often made since his adventure with 
Pierre and his band — that he did not care to 
remain longer in California, because the fun 
and excitement were all over. He thought dif- 
ferently now. He had had plenty of excite- 
ment during the day, much more than he 
wanted, but he had not seen a great deal of 
fun. Bruised and battered, smarting in a hun- 
dred places from the effects of the beating he 
had received ; surrounded by a net- work of 
secret passage-w’ays and caverns, among which 
he was as effectually lost as though he had 
been in the heart of the Eocky Mountains ; in 
the midst of enemies who would show him no 
mercy if captured; his situation was certainly 
a disheartening one. He could not hope for 
assistance from his friends, for they were igno- 
rant of his whereabouts. He and Frank had 
often camped out among the mountains for a 
week at a time, enjoying the fine shooting to 
be found there; and now the trappers, if they 
noticed his absence at all, would probably 


166 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


think he had gone off on one of his hunting 
expeditions, and instead of making any attempt 
to find him, would leave him to return home 
when he got ready. Frank might be captured, 
confined in one of those rooms, and die a lin- 
gering death there, and no one would ever 
know what had become of him. 

wish I had never seen or heard of Cali- 
fornia,’^ said Archie, bitterly, allowing himself 
for a moment to become utterly disheartened. 

If I had only known that I was going to get 
myself into this miserable scrape, I ’ll bet you 
that I would have let the robbers take my 
horse, and welcome. There they are ! ” 

Archie’s soliloquy was interrupted by the 
sound of voices and footsteps. The Don and 
his men, having thoroughly ransacked the up- 
per part of the house, were now beginning to 
search the underground portion. The noise 
grew louder, and the conversation more distinct, 
as the Eancheros approached, and Archie knew 
it was high time he was hunting up a place of 
concealment. Putting his hands against the 
wall, he groped his way along the passage until 
he came to a door. This he unlocked with one 


A COMPANION IN TROUBLE. 


167 


of his keys, and lifting the latch, he opened 
the door a little way, and listened. While he 
stood there, hesitating and afraid to enter, the 
Eancheros approached rapidly; and presently 
Archie saw the light of a lantern dancing along 
the passage. There were four men in the party, 
and they were coming directly toward the fugi- 
tive, who, knowing that there was but one way 
of escape open to him, stepped cautiously into 
the room and locked the door. Scarcely had 
this been done when the Eancheros hurried 
past, searching every-where for Archie, and 
little dreaming that he was so near, and that 
the door alone stood between them and him. 
He distinctly heard their angry words, and 
understood enough of their conversation to 
know that the events of the last half hour had 
greatly astonished them ; and that, if he was 
captured, something terrible would be done to 
him. They passed out of hearing at last, and 
Archie drew a long breath of relief, and braced 
up his nerves to encounter any new perils that 
might be in his way. 

There was one thing that had thus far kept 
him in a state of intense anxiety and suspense, 


168 


DON CAELOS’ EANCIIO. 


and that was the fear of running into some ter- 
rible danger while he was roaming about in 
the darkness — something that would take him 
by surprise, and end his existence before he 
would have time to comprehend its nature. 
How did he know but there was a chasm yawn- 
ing at his very feet; and that if he advanced 
a single step he would find himself plunging 
headlong to destruction ? Or how could he tell 
but there were some of the band standing with- 
in reach of him, with their knives uplifted 
ready to strike? He took a match from his 
pocket, but hesitated to light it for fear that it 
might reveal some new terror. He knew, how- 
ever, that he had nothing to gain by standing 
there inactive, and summoning all his courage 
to his aid, he drew the match along the wall ; 
but, no sooner had the flame blazed up, so that 
he could distinguish objects about him, than he 
staggered back against the door with a cry of 
terror, and stood trembling in every limb. 
The single instant that the room was lighted 
up by the match, was enough to reveal to him 
a sight that filled him with horror — a familiar 
form, lying bound and helpless on the floor. 


A COMPANION IN TROUBLE. 


169 


and a wounded and bleeding face, which, save 
where it was reddened by the little streams of 
blood that had flowed over it, was as pale as 
that of the dead. But Archie, to his immense 
relief, soon found that his companion in trou- 
ble had plenty of life left in him. His body 
was battered and bruised, but his spirit was as 
undaunted as ever. 

Well, what are you doing here?^^ asked a 
voice, in tones of great amazement. 

Frank Nelson ! ” exclaimed Archie, scarcely 
believing that he was awake. He did not stop 
now to think that there might be some one 
else in the room — he did not care if there was. 
It was enough for him to know that his cousin 
stood in need of assistance. He pulled his 
bowie-knife from his boot, and kneeling down 
by Frank’s side quickly relieved him of his 
bonds. His astonishment at finding his cousin 
there kept him quiet; but as soon as he had 
freed his arms, he greeted him as though he 
had not met him for years. 

^^What do you think now?” asked Archie, 
as he assisted Frank to his feet. Don Carlos’ 
connection with the robbers is all in my eye. 


170 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


isn’t it? Didn’t I tell you that they kept 
Roderick and King James here, and rode them 
every night on their plundering expeditions? 
■Well, it’s a fact. I’ve seen the horses.” 

^^You have!” exclaimed Frank. 

Yes, sir; and I’ve had hold of them. I’ve 
been on King James’s back, too ; and I tell 
you it felt natural to find myself flying through 
the air once more, like a bird on the wing. I 
would have got them out of here, if the gate 
had n’t been shut. I am afraid you can’t 
stand,” added Archie, who was holding fast to 
his cousin’s arm. Your face is all bloody.” 

^^It is nothing serious. If I get a chance, 
I will show you that I am still able to beat 
the swiftest runner on the rancho in a fair race.’* 

^^But you are trembling like a leaf,” con- 
tinued Archie, anxiously. If you are not 
badly hurt, what is the matter with you ? Are 
you frightened?” 

^^Yes, I am. I wish we had never come 
near Don Carlos’ rancho.” 

^ ^^So do I. I’ve wished that more than a 
hundred times during the last hour. We’ve 
'’got ourselves into a pretty mess.” 


I 


A COMPANION IN TROUBLE. 


171 


^^And not only ourselves, but somebody else, 
also. We have thus far escaped with our lives, 
but he did n^t. He ^s dead.’^ 

^^He! Who?’^ 

Dick Lewis.’^ 

Well — by — gracious ! exclaimed Archie, 
as soon as he could speak. Why — how — Eh ! 
It can’t be possible.” 

^^That i^ just what I thought, even while I 
was seeing the thing done,” replied Frank. He 
was pulled down by a lasso ; and the Mexican 
who caught him wheeled his horse and galloped 
off, dragging Dick after him. If his neck had 
been made of iron, it must have been broken.” 

But how did he happen to be around where 
the Mexicans were?” asked Archie, who could 
not bring himself to believe his cousin’s story. 

Why did n’t he stay at home, where he be- 
longed 9 y 

Why did n’t we stay at home where we be- 
longed ? ” retorted Frank. If we had done 
that, Dick would have been alive and hearty, 
now. He lost his life in trying to save me. 
But we have wasted time enough in talking. 
How did you get in here?” ^ 


172 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


don’t understand it at all,” said Archie, 
who could not have been more astounded and 
terrified if he had suddenly been knocked over 
by some invisible hand. I sha n’t go on that 
hunting expedition with Captain Porter, even 
if I do recover my horse.” 

If we do n’t find some way to get out of 
this den of robbers, we ’ll never have a chance 
to go with him,” replied Frank. ‘^How did 
you get in here?” 

Did n’t you hear me unlock the door ? 
IWe got a key to every room in the rancho. 
Well! Well/ I can’t get over that piece of 
news. I wish we had a light.” 

The men who brought me in here left their 
lantern,” said Frank. We might look around 
and find it, but don’t you think it would be 
dangerous to light it?” 

“We couldn’t be in a worse fix than we are 
in now. We don’t know how many miles of 
rooms and passage-ways we must travel through 
before we can get out of here ; and I ’d rather 
be discovered, and take my chances for escape, 
than to run the risk of breaking my neck be- 
fore I know it.” 


A COMPANION IN TROUBLE. 


173 


The boys threw themselves on their hands 
and knees, and began creeping about the floor, 
searching for the lantern. Frank found it at 
last, and when it had been lighted, Archie 
held it up, and took a good look at his cousin. 

I am sorry to see you here,’^ said he ; but 
since you are here, I am glad I have found 
you. What ^s the first thing to be done ? 

Have you any weapons ? asked Frank. 

These people do n’t seem to think much of 
me, and if I am doomed to fall into their hands 
again, I want something with which to defend 
myself.” 

You must have had a terrible fight,” said 
Archie, again glancing at his cousin’s face; 

and I should judge that you had come out 
second best.” 

Frank shrugged his shoulders and felt of his 
head, but had nothing to say. Archie hesi- 
tated a moment before he spoke again. He 
was wondering who had got the worst of the 
encounter — he or the Eanchero. He had not 
quite made up his mind which was the most 
severe punishment — twenty-five or thirty cuts 
over the head and shoulders with a rawhide, 


174 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


or a single well-directed blow from the butt 
of a heavy pistol, delivered with the full 
power of |in arm that was all muscle. After a 
a few seconds’ reflection, he decided that he 
would rather be in his own boots, than in those 
of the man he had knocked down ; and that, 
taking all things into consideration, he could 
truthfully say that he had given the mutineer 
a good drubbing. 

I ’ve just had a terrible whipping,” said 
Archie, but I did n’t get the worst of the 
fight. I hit somebody a crack that he will 
remember for a day or two, I guess. I ’ve got 
plenty of weapons — three pistols and a bowie- 
knife. Put this revolver in your pocket.” 

At this moment the cousins were startled 
by a noise at the door — not the one by which 
Archie had entered, but another on the oppo- 
site side of the room. Somebody was trying 
to open it. The door was not locked, but it 
held at the bottom. 

^^We must run for it now,” whispered 
Archie. We ’ll go out at this other door; 
and by the time he gets in here, we ’ll be safe 
in another hiding-place.” 


A COMPANION IN TROUBLE. 


175 


Handing his lantern to his cousin, Archie 
pulled out his keys and began fitting one to 
the lock ; but his operations were suddenly 
interrupted by the sound of voices and foot- 
steps in the passage, telling him that the Ran- 
cheros, from whom he had escaped a few min- 
utes before, were returning. Their retreat in 
that direction was cut ofiP. The boys lopked 
at each other in dismay. There were but two 
doors in the room, and while their enemies 
were at each one, which way should they go? 
The noise at the door grew louder. Some one 
was certainly trying to get in, and, what was 
more, he seemed determined to accomplish 
his object; for his pulls at' the door grew 
stronger, and the boys could hear him grum- 
bling to himself in Spanish because it would 
not open. It yielded a little with every pull, 
however, and it was evident that he would 
soon succeed in effecting an entrance. Archie 
drew his pistols, and looked to his cousin for 
advice. 

^^Put away those weapons,” said Frank, 
earnestly. ^^If you should fire one of them 
here, it would show our enemies where we are, 


176 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


and destroy our last chance for escape. Hide 
yourself, and blow out that lantern.^^ 

Archie had barely time to act upon this sug- 
gestion, when the door flew open with a jerk, 
and looking over the top of a box, behind 
which he had crept for concealment, he saw a 
Mexican enter the room. By the light of the 
lantern he carried in his hand, Archie also dis- 
covered his cousin stretched upon the floor, his 
feet crossed, and his hands placed behind his 
back. The latter knew why the Kanchero had 
come in there. 

You’re safe yet, are you?” said the Mex- 
ican. That ’s all right. So many strange 
things have happened here to-night, that I 
should not have been surprised if I had not 
found you. Santa Maria! How’s this?” 

The man had bent over to examine his 
prisoners bonds, and for the first time discov- 
ered that he had been liberated. Astonished 
and alarmed, he acted upon his first impulse, 
and started for the door ; but Archie was there 
before him. The Ranchero, who was wholly 
intent of making good his retreat, did not see 
him, however; and the first intimation he had 







or- 


AllCIIIE AND FRANK’S FlUHT WITH THE ROBBER. 

(.'II AI*. XI • I’AG-K 177. 







1 





I * 


» 


t 


k 



V 


» 





I 


A 


ft A 


A COMPANION IN TPOUBLE. 


177 


of Archie’s presence, was a pair of strong arms 
thrown around his legs, which were pulled 
from under him, causing him to fall backward 
upon the floor. He struggled furiously, and 
opened his lips to shout for help ; but, before 
any sound came forth, a hand grasped his 
throat, and the cry was effectually stifled. 

12 


178 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


CHAPTER XII. 
frank’s adventures. 

TTRAXK had had some exciting adventures 
since we last saw him, and had witnessed 
scenes that it w^as not probable he would soon 
forget. We left him standing face to face with 
one of his pursuers, whose gun was at his 
shoulder, his finger on the trigger, and the 
muzzle of the weapon pointing straight at 
Frank’s breast. The chances of escape from 
such a situation were small indeed. True, 
Frank’s revolver was safe in his pocket, and 
he was too sure a shot to miss so large a mark 
as the Mexican at that distance; but he knew, 
from the next words his enemy spoke, that any 
attempt on his part to draw the weapon, would 
be the signal for his death. ^ 

^^Put your hands above your head,” com- 
manded the Ranchero, sternly. /^Xow, if you 


prank’s adventures. 179 

move an eyelid, I will send a ball through 
you.” 

The very appearance of the man was enough 
to convince Frank that he would not hesitate 
to carry his threat into execution, should occa- 
sion require it; but, large and strong as he 
was, ^nd savage as he looked, he was afraid of 
his captive, and had no intention of approach- 
ing nearer to him until he had put it out of 
his power to do any mischief. Keeping his 
eyes fastened upon Frank, and holding his 
gun in position with one hand, he uncoiled 
with the other a lasso which hung over his 
shoulder. The prisoner began to tremble in 
every limb. He understood the meaning of 
this movement, and told himself th^t there 
would be a desperate fight in those bushes 
before the Mexican should use that lariat on 
him. He did not intend to allow himself to 
be strangled half to death if he could pre- 
vent it. Having already had some experience 
in that line, he did not care to have it re- 
peated. 

Look here ! ” said he, when the Ranch ero, 
after coiling a portion of the lasso in his hand, 


180 


DON CARIiOS’ DANCHO. 


began swinging it around his head ; do n’t 
attempt that.” 

Stand where you are!” exclaimed the 
Mexican. 

haven’t moved an inch, and I have no 
desire to do so, as long as you keep that 
gun pointed at me. But you sha’n’t put that 
lasso around my neck; you may depend upon 
that.” 

The Eanchero was evidently astonished. 
Here was a fellow, who acknowledged himself 
a prisoner, and yet had the audacity to tellEis 
captor what he should do, and what he should 
not do. The tones of Frank’s voice, his atti- 
tude, and the 'expression of his countenance, 
all bore evidence to the fact that he was quite 
in earnest; and the Mexican seemed to be in 
nodiurry to come to close quarters with him. 
The hand in which he held the lasso fell to his 
side, and he stood looking at his captive, meas- 
uring him with his eye, and trying to decide 
upon some course of action. 

Frank was no stranger to the Eanchero. 
The latter had often seen him, and he had 
heard of him, too. He knew the particulars 


Frank’s adventures. 


181 


of some of his exploits, and he had a whole- 
some respect for him. A boy who had courage 
enough to keep a secret with death staring him 
in the face, and who, after being nearly stran- 
gled, could fight with the desperation which 
Frank had exhibited in his encounter with 
Pierre Costello, was not one to be approached 
with impunity. The Mexican had never taken 
the trouble to look closely at him before, and 
now he was astonished to discover what a power- 
ful young fellow he was. Although he was not 
quite seventeen years old, he stood five feet 
nine inches in his stockings; and the violent 
sports and exercises to which he had been ac- 
customed from his earliest boyhood, had devel- 
oped his muscles until they were as large as 
those of a blacksmith. He looked like a young 
Hercules as he stood there, drawn up to his 
full height, his arms extended above his head, 
his hands clenched, and his fingers moving 
nervously, as though they were aching to take 
the Eanchero by the throat. 

Had n’t you better make up your mind 
what you are going to do about it?” asked 
Frank, who. was beginning to get impatient. 


182 


DON CAKLOS’ KANCHO. 


You might as well put up that lasso, for you 
shall never catch me with it.^^ 

Stand where you are ! ” repeated the Mexi- 
can. 

These words were addressed, not to the pris- 
oner, but to the empty air. The spot on which 
Frank had been standing was vaeant, and he 
had disappeared from the view of his captor as 
completely as though he had never been in the 
woods at all. While the Kanehero was looking 
at Frank, the latter was narrowly watching the 
Fanchero. He kept his eyes fastened upon the 
gun, and finally he saw the muzzle turned a 
little aside, so that it no longer pointed at his 
breast. That was enough for Frank, who now 
repeated the trick he had tried with so much 
success upon Don Carlos. Gathering all his 
strength for the effort, he made two or three 
tremendous bounds, amf vanished. 

Like an inexperienced young sportsman, who, 
seeing a flock of quails suddenly arise from the 
bushes at his very feet, stands gazing after 
them with open mouth, too astonished to think 
of the gun he holds in his hand, so stood the 
Fanchero. There was something almost mag- 


Frank’s adventures. 


183 


ical in the escape of his prisoner. It was so 
sudden and unexpected ! There he was, hold- 
ing a loaded gun in one hand, a lasso in the 
other, and standing almost within reach of his 
prize ; and yet he had effectually eluded him. 

‘‘ Santa Maria ! ” yelled the Ranchero, arous- 
ing himself as if from a sound sleep. Stop, 
or I fire ! ” 

Whoop ! ” yelled another voice. Hooray 
fur the boy that fit that ar’ robber ! Put in 
your best licks, youngster, fur the timber ’s full 
of the varlets.” 

How Frank’s heart bounded at the tones of 
that familiar voice! Friends had been near 
him all the while, and he had not been aware 
of it. He could not, however, waste much time 
in thinking about the trapper. He had imag- 
ined that his escape from the Ranchero had 
placed him beyond the reach of danger for the 
present, but now he found that he was running 
straight into it. There were other persons in 
the woods, of whose presence he had been igno- 
rant, and now they began to show themselves. 
The trapper’s wild Indian yell was answered 
by an order shouted in Spanish; and then was 


184 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


presented a scene that reminded F rank of some 
passages in one of his favorite books — Sir Wal- 
ter Scott’s Lady of the Lake.” When the- 
outlaw and King James were conversing, and 
the latter expressed a desire to see the rebel 
chieftain and his band, Roderick gave one 
shrill whistle, and — 

“ Instant, tlirougli heath and copse, arose 
Bonnets and spears and bended bows. 

On right, on left, above, below, 

Sprung up at once the lurking foe. 

From shingles gray their lances start; 

The bracken bush sends forth the dart; 

The rushes and the willow wand 
Are bristling into ax and brand ; 

And every tuft of broom gives life 
To plaided warrior, armed for strife.” 

In short, the Scottish braves sprung into view 
in a way that was utterly bewildering, and so 
did the men who had been creeping up through 
the bushes while Frank was parleying with his 
captor. The fugitive had never seen so many 
Mexicans together before, and it was a mystery 
where they all came from. It seemed to him 
that every bush and tree within the range of 


FRANK'S ADVENTURES. 


185 


his vision, was turning into a villainous look- 
ing Ranchero. They arose on all sides, and 
with loud yells rushed forward i5;ent upon 
capturing Frank alive and unharmed. Not a 
shot was fired at him, but the trapper was a 
target for a dozen rifles and pistols; and some 
of the bullets, that were intended for him, 
whistled through the bushes uncomfortably 
near to Frank's head. If Archie had been in 
his cousin's place just then, he would have 
smelt powder to his heart's content. 

Frank's first impulse was to stop and sur- 
render himself a prisoner; but a rapid glance 
around showed him that one portion of the 
woods was still left open to him. Toward this 
he dashed with the speed of a frightened deer — 
paying no heed to the loud commands to halt 
that were shouted after him, but trembling 
in every limb when he heard the lassos of 
his pursuers whistling through the air — and 
in less time than it takes to tell it, he had 
once more distanced the fleetest of the herds- 
men. In ten minutes not one of them was 
to be seen or heard. The reports of the fire- 
arms had ceased, the shouts had died away 


186 


DON CARLOS’ RANCnO. 


in the distance, and the woods were as silent 
as midnight. 

Frank was now rapidly nearing the creek — 
the only barrier that stood between him and 
his home. Once safe on the opposite shore, 
and his escape was assured. The five miles 
that lay between the creek and his uncle’s ran- 
cho, were no obstacle to such a runner as he 
had proved himself to be. He reached the 
bank at last, and, without stopping to recon- 
noiter the ground before him, dashed through 
the bushes at the top of his speed, and plunged 
into the water. His movements were so rapid 
that the Rancheros, who were concealed in the 
bushes awaiting his approach, did not have 
time to seize him as he passed ; but their lassos 
were longer than their arms, and before the 
fugitive had made half a dozen strokes, one of 
these dreaded weapons fiew through the air, 
and the noose settled around his neck. He 
tried to avoid the danger by diving under the 
water; but it was too late. The lariat was 
tightened up with a jerk, and he was pulled 
back to the shore, gasping for breath, and 
struggling desperately. 


FRANK'S ADVENTURES. 


187 


'^Here you are again, Fifty-Thousand-Dol- 
lars,’^ exclaimed a familiar voice; and the in- 
stant Frank touched the bank, a stalwart Mex- 
ican, whom he recognized as the one from 
whom he had escaped a short time before, 
threw himself upon him and held him fast; 
two more bound him hand and foot ; while a 
fourth searched all his pockets, and took pos- 
session of his revolver. Of course he was 
easily overpowered, but it was only after a fu- 
rious and determined resistance. 

The Kancheros were very jubilant over their 
success. They danced about their captive like 
so many savages ; and when one seized him by 
the collar and jerked him to his feet, the others 
set up a loud shout of triumph. Then they 
held a hurried consultation in their native 
tongue, and the prisoner understood enough of 
what was said to know that they were talking 
about the money they expected to receive when 
they delivered Frank into the hands of Don 
Carlos. They seemed to be afraid that they 
might be called upon to divide the reward with 
some of their companions ; and, in order to 
avoid that, they told one another that they 


188 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


would take their captive to the rancho by some 
round-about way. No sooner was this plan 
agreed upon, than the Mexicans proceeded to 
carry it out. Two of them seized Frank by 
the arms and hurried him into the woods, drag- 
ging him roughly over fallen logs, and through 
thick bushes, which tore his clothing and 
scratched him severely. 

^^Now, see here,^^ he exclaimed, when he 
thought he could no longer endure their harsh 
treatmeijt ; if you will untie my feet, so that 
I can walk, you will save yourselves and me 
a great deal of trouble.” 

The Mexicans were deaf to his words. They 
did not mind the trouble m the least. Their 
prisoner was worth a fortune to them ; and 
having seen him make two remarkable escapes 
that night, they did not intend to give him an 
opportunity to make another. 

If they hoped to reach the rancho without 
meeting any of their companions, they were 
destined to be disappointed; for, when they 
arrived at the edge of the prairie where they 
had left their horses, they were joined by three 
more of the Don’s band, who, upon discovering 


Frank’s adventures. 


189 


Frank again in confinement, set up a terrific 
yell. 

No more herding cgttle or stealing horses 
for me,” cried one of the new-comers. 1 am 
olf for Frisco this very night.” 

You can go now, for all we care,” growled 
one of the men, who was holding Frank by the 
collar. 

‘^Yes, but I want my share of the reward 
first.” 

^^It’s little of the reward' you ’ll get. Must 
we do all the work, risk all the danger, and 
then share our hard earnings with you who 
have kept yourselves out of harm’s way ? Not 
if we know ourselves.” 

This was the beginning of an angry alterca- 
tion, which did not continue more than a 
minute before the disputants came to blows. 
Frank’s captors insisted that no one but them- 
selves should touch a cent of the money ; and 
the new-comers declared that if they did not 
agree to divide, they should never take their 
prisoner to the rancho. As the debate pro- 
gressed, the Mexicans began to grow angry. 
Their voices rose higher and higher; they 


190 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


flourished their arms in the air, and shook their 
clenched hands in one another's faces ; and 
finally one of#them drew his knife and empha- 
sized his words by making a savage thrust at 
the man nearest him. That brought the dis- 
cussion to a close at once ; and an instant after- 
ward Frank was standing there, the solitary 
spectator of the most thrilling scene he had 
ever witnessed in his life — a furious hand-to- 
hand conflict among the Rancheros. 

The rapidity with which this state of affairs 
had been brought about was astonishing. One 
moment the Mexicans were all standing erect, 
engaged in an angry war of words ; the next, 
they were rolling about on the ground, strug- 
gling madly with each other, pistol balls were 
flying about, reeking knife-blades flashing ip 
the air, and the woods were echoing with cries 
of pain and shouts of anger. Frank stood 
speechless, almost breathless, and unable to 
move hand or foot. He was in danger of be- 
ing knocked down by some of the struggling 
men, and of being struck by the bullets which 
whistled about so recklessly ; but he could not 
get out of the way. He never once thought 


FRANK^S ADVENTURES. 


191 


of his own peril, for he was too horrified at 
what was going on before him to think of any 
thing. He was the cause of all this trouble. 
The herdsmen were destroying one another to 
secure possession of the reward that had been 
offered for him. 

The fight, desperate as it was, did not long 
continue. It seemed to Frank that it had 
scarcely begun before it was over. His captors 
came oflP victorious, but there were not many 
of them left to rejoice over their success — only 
a single man, who, as he arose from the body 
of his late antagonist, first l6oked toward his 
prisoner, to satisfy himself that he was safe, 
and then coolly ran his eye over the prostrate 
forms around him. F:^nk expected to see him 
manifest some regret at the fate of his compan- 
ions, but he did nothing of the kind. He did 
not even take the trouble to see if any of them 
were still alive. He wiped his knife on a 
bunch of leaves which he pulled from a neigh- 
boring bush, and then hurried toward the 
horses, which were tied to the trees in the edge 
of the woods. Mounting his own horse, he 
rode up beside his prisoner, and, seizing him 


192 


DON CATILOS’ RANCHO. 


by the collar, pulled him up in front of him, 
and laid him across the horn of his saddle, as 
if Frank had been a bag of corn, and he was 
about to start olf to mill with him. Then he 
spoke for the first time since the fight, and 
Frank knew why it was that he felt no regret 
at the death of his coipipanions. 

The reward is mine,^’ said he, with a 
chuckle. have no one to divide with now.’’ 

He dashed his spurs into the flanks of his 
horse, and set ofP at a rapid gallop toward the 
rancho, which was in plain sight, and not more 
than a quarter of a mile distant. Frank turned 
his eyes toward its gloomy walls, and wondered 
what sort of a reception he would meet with 
when he arrived there. It was not likely that 
the Don would greet him as kindly as he had 
done before — that he would conduct him into 
the house with ceremony, and ask him to make 
himself comfortable until supper time. Per- 
haps, in his rage, the old Spaniard would dis- 
patch him at once. Frank was prepared for 
the worst; but he would have submitted to 
his fate with much better grace, if his hands 
and feet had been unbound for one moment, so 


Frank’s adventures. 


193 


that he could have made just one more attempt 
at escape. 

It ’s of no use for you to kick about so/’ 
said the Ranchero, as Frank began struggling 
with his bonds. ^‘You’re as safe now as 
though you were locked up in one of Don Car- 
los’ dungeons.” 

The Mexican was a good deal surprised at 
the reply his prisoner made. Frank had turned 
his head, and was looking back toward the 
woods, as if he half expected to see help com- 
ing from that direction, and he had discovered 
a tall figure in buckskin standing in the bushes. 
A moment afterward a long rifle was leveled, 
and F rank thought that the muzzle was pointed 
straight at his head. That occasioned him no 
uneasiness, however, for he knew that Dick 
Lewis’s eagle eye was glancing along the wea- 
pon, and that its contents would do no harm 
to him. 

Did you ever see that fine horse of mine — 
the one you fellows stole from me?” asked 
Frank. ^^Well, I will stake him against the 
worthless animal you are riding, that you don’t 
take me to Don Carlos,” 

13 


194 


DON OARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Eh ! exclaimed the Ranchero, facing 
quickly about in his saddle, and gazing back 
at the woods. 

That move was all that saved his life. Just 
then a sheet of flame shot out from the bushes, 
and the bullet came humming through the air; 
but instead of finding a lodgment in the body 
of the Mexican, it was buried in the brain of 
the horse, which dropped dead in his tracks, 
dashing the Ranchero and his prisoner violently 
to the ground. 

Frank, stunned by the fall, and blinded by 
the blood which flowed freely from a wound 
on his forehead, could not have told what had 
happened. He lay motionless for a moment, 
and then, after a few inefiectual attempts, suc- 
ceeded in raising himself to a sitting posture, 
and began to look around for his enemy. He 
saw him seated on the ground at a little dis- 
tance, holding both hands to his head, and 
gazing about him with a bewildered air, as if 
he had not quite made up his mind how he 
had come to be unhorsed so suddenly. But he 
was not long in comprehending the-matter. 
Glancing toward the trapper, who was approach- 


feank’s adventuees. 


195 


ing with long strides, and then toward his pris- 
oner, he whipped out the knife which had done 
him such good service in his recent battle. 

Santa Maria ! he shouted. 

That was all he said then, but his actions 
supplied the place of words, and indicated the 
desperate resolve he had formed. He jumped 
to his feet and rushed toward Frank, with his 
knife uplifted ready to strike. 

Whoop ! Bars an^ bufPaler ! Stop thar, 
you tarnal Greaser cried the trapper. ‘^If 
you touch that youngster with that weapon, 
I ^11 raise your bar fur you.’’ 

The Mexican paid no heed to the warning. 
Fie came on as fiercely as ever, and Frank, 
unable to lift a finger in his own defense, sat 
there on the ground and watched those two 
frantic men who were racing toward him — one 
intent on taking his life, the other on saving 
it. Which would reach him first? The Mexi- 
caA was the nearer to him, but the fleet-footed 
trapper was getting over the ground at the 
rate of ten feet to his one. If Dick’s rifle had 
been loaded, Frank would have had no fears 
as to the result ; but the trusty old weapon was 


196 DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 

empty, and his friend might approach within 
reach of him, and still be unable to prevent the 
Mexican from accomplishing his purpose. 

There are fifty thousand dollars wrapped 
uj) in your hide,^^ hissed the Ranchero, and 
if I do nT get it nobody ghall.^^ 

A few hurried steps brought him to Frank’s 
side, and, uttering a yell of triumph, he seized 
him by the throat, and threw him backward 
upon the ground. Frank saw him shake the 
knife at the trapper, and when it was raised 
above his breast, he closed his eyes that he 
might not see it when it descended. But the 
knife never touched him. Something fell heav- 
ily upon him, and when he opened his eyes he 
saw the Mexican lying motionless by his side, 
and Dick Lewis bending over him. 

The trapper’s tomahawk, thrown with un- 
erring aim, had saved Frank’s life. 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


197 


CHAPTER ^IH. 

AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 

^^T)ARS an’ buffaler ! You keerless feller!” 

^ exclaimed the trapper, pulling out his 
knife and liberating Frank’s liands and feet. 

I reckon you ’ve seed fun enough fur one day, 
haint you? You’ll never come nigher to bein’ 
rubbed out nor you Avere a minit ago without 
goin’; I can tell you that. Yoav toddle. We 
aint out of danger yet, by no means.” 

There was no time for greetings and congrat- 
ulations. Scarcely had the trapper lifted Frank 
to his feet, when a clatter of hoofs was heard, 
and upon looking up the tAvo friends saAv a squad 
of Rancheros coming toAvard them at the top of 
their speed. Frank, without an instant’s hesi- 
tation, acted upon the trapper’s suggestion, and 
started for the Avoods ; Avhile Dick ran olf in the 
opposite direction, loading his rifle as he Avent. 


198 


DON CARLOS RANCHO. 


Frank, wearied with his former exertions, 
and aching in every limb from the effects of 
the rough treatment he had received at the 
hands of his enemies, was in no condition for 
a long run; but, even had he been in the best 
of trim, he could not have hoped to escape. 
The Eancheros were mounted, and they had 
thrown themselves between him and the woods. 
Still, he exerted himself to the utmost, and his 
speed, although greatly diminished, would have 
carried him ahead of every one of his enemies 
had they been on foot. But the swift horses 
quickly overtook him, and one of his pursuers, 
without in the least slackening his pace, gal- 
loped up beside him and seized him with both 
hands. 

‘‘You’re caught now,” said he, in a tone of 
great satisfaction, “and I am a poor herdsman 
no longer. I hn rich.” 

The Eanchero did not attempt to lift Frank 
upon his horse, but held fast to his collar, and 
dragged him over the ground. He went at the 
top of his speed, and whenever Frank tried to 
regain his feet, so that he could run along be- 
side his captor, the latter would touch his horse 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


199 


with his spurs, and the animal would spring 
forward so suddenly that Frank would be 
thrown back again. It was a most uncomfort- 
able and painful situation to be in, but, strange 
as it may appear, Frank made no attempt at 
escape ; indeed, he scarcely bestowed a thought 
upon himself. A scene which he had witnessed 
just after his enemy seized him, had deprived 
him of every particle of courage and strength. 
He had seen the friend who had stood by him 
through innumerable dangers strangled before 
his very eyes. 

We said that, when Frank ran toward the 
woods, the trapper started off in the opposite 
direction. He had done this, hoping to draw 
the attention of the Mexicans to himself, and 
thus give Frank a chance for escape. He had 
succeeded in one part of his object, and failed 
in the other. Three of the Eancheros wheeled 
their horses and started in pursuit of him, 
while the others kept on after Frank. They 
had no desire to take the trapper alive, for the 
Don had not offered, a reward of fifty thousand 
dollars for him ; but they believed that he was 
quite as dangerous to them as Frank was, for 


200 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


he was acquainted with their secret. They had 
tried their best to shoot him when they met 
him in the woods, but Dick had escaped un- 
hurt. Now they had caught him on the open 
prairie, where they could use their lassos, and 
they were determined that he should not return 
home to tell his friends what he knew about 
Don Carlos and his rancho. They charged 
toward the trapper with loud yells, discharging 
their pistols at him with one hand, and swing- 
ing their lariats around their heads with the 
other. One of their number rode to his death, 
for when Dick’s rifle cracked, the foremost 
Mexican threw up his arms, and fell heavily 
from his saddle; but before the trapper could 
turn to run, a lasso was thrown over his head, 
and he was pulled to the ground. A yell of 
defiance rang out on the air, and then the Ean- 
chero wheeled his horse and galloped ofl’, drag- 
ging his victim after him. 

Frank could scarcely credit his senses. Was 
it possible that the redoubtable Dick Lewis, 
the hero of a thousand desperate encounters, 
had met his match at last, and in these cow- 
ardly Mexicans, too? It did not seem to him 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


201 


that it could be so, and yet the whole thing 
had transpired in plain view. If Dick had 
possessed the strength of a dozen men, he could 
not have escaped while that lasso was around 
his neck. Beyond a doubt, Frank had seen 
the last of him. The brave fellow had lost his 
life in trying to save him, and the boy could 
not have been more horrified if he had heard 
his own doom pronounced. He closed his eyes, 
that he might not see the terrible sight; and 
when he opened them again, his captor was on 
the point of dragging him into the woods. 
Still urging his horse forward with reckless 
speed, he 'now lifted Frank from the ground 
and laid him across the horn of his saddle and 
held him there with one hand, while, with the 
other, he guided his horse through the bushes. 
Arriving at the creek, he dashed in, and upon 
reaching the opposite bank, again entered the 
woods, and continued his flight as rapidly as 
ever. 

All this while the prisoner’s mind had been 
so fully occupied with the scene he had wit- 
nessed on the prairie, that he scarcely knew 
what was going on ; but now he became aware 


202 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


that his captor was not taking him to the ran- 
cho, but that he was making the best of his 
way toward the mountains. Frank was at a 
loss how to account for this, until he glanced 
at the dark, low'ering face above him. Could 
he believe his eyes? He raised his head and 
looked again; and it is hard to tell whether 
he was the more astonished or alarmed. That 
one look was enough to satisfy him that his 
troubles were but just beginning. He would 
much rather have found himself in the power 
of Don Carlos, than in the hands of the man 
who was bending over him. 

^^Ah! You know me, do you?’^ exclaimed 
the Mexican, glancing triumphantly down at 
his captive. I ^m glad to meet you again.’^ 

‘^Pierre Costello cried Frank, in dismay. 

Ay ! It ’s Pierre, alive and well, no thanks 
to you or your friends ! 

Frank gazed long and earnestly at the 
Panchero. The last time he saw him he was 
on his way to the prison at San Diego, bound 
hand and foot, and guarded by trusty men ; 
but here he was, in full possession of his 
liberty, and ready to carry out the scheme 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


203 


in which he had been foiled a few weeks be- 
fore. 

Oh, it I,” said the robber, seeing that his 
prisoner was looking at him in utter bewilder- 
ment. We were pretty \^ell acquainted at 
one time, and it is strange that you do not 
recognize me.^^ 

I would know that villainous face of yours 
among a thousand,^^ replied Frank. was 
wondering how you escaped from the prison.’^ 

^^Easy enough. It wasn’t strong enough to 
hold me — that’s all. I didn’t stay there three 
days. I came back here, and set myself to 
watch you ; and now that I have found you, I 
do not intend to lose sight of you very soon. 
When the Don gives me the reward he has 
offered for you, I will deliver you up to him. 
I am taking you to the mountains, because I 
waiit to see the color of the money, before I 
give you up ; and because I do n’t want to be 
compelled to divide with any one.”' 

There was no need that Pierre should take 
the trouble to explain his plans. Frank knew 
what they were before he said a word about 
them, and he could see no way to prevent them 


204 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


from being carried out. He was satisfied that 
it was quite useless to think of escape, and 
knowing that it would be the height of folly 
to provoke Pierre’s anger, he did not make the 
slightest show of resistance. 

I shall always hold a grudge against you,” 
said the Eanchero, tightening his grasp on 
Frank’s collar, and, if it were not for the 
money you are worth, I would settle accounts 
with you in a hurry. I ’ve had two chances 
to make myself rich, but you knocked my cal- 
culations higher than a kite. I am all right 
now, however, and if I ever meet you, after I 
deliver you up to Don Carlos, you are a goner. 
But that is not at all likely,” added the Mex- 
ican, for when the gate of that rancho once 
closes upon you, it will never open for you 
again. The Don knows how to deal with men 
who learn his secrets. You are always med- 
dling with other people’s business, but you 
have done it now for the last time.” 

Frank listened in silence to this dishearten- 
ing speech, and told himself that this was the 
worst predicament he had ever got into. When 
he was delivered into the Don’s hands, the 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


205 


latter would make an end of him ; and if he 
did not, Pierre would. It was plain that if 
his captor could have his own way in the mat- 
ter, Frank had not much longer to live. 

The course which Pierre was taking to reach 
the mountains, lay through a dense forest, 
which, even in the day-time, was almost im- 
passable for horsemen. He might have chosen 
an easier route, but knowing that he would be 
followed by his companions, who would not 
willingly surrender their claims to a share of 
the reward, he kept in the deepest part of the 
woods to elude their pursuit. His horse went 
at the top of his speed, and Frank was jolted 
about, and dashed against the trees, until it 
seemed to him that he could not possibly sur- 
vive a moment longer. To his great relief, 
Pierre brought him to the edge of the woods 
at last; and after carrying him some distance 
up a ravine, stopped his horse, and began mak- 
ing preparations to bind his captive. 

I shall leave you here for an hour or two,’’ 
said he. “I am going back to the Don, and, 
if he comes down with the fifty thousand, I ’ll 
turn you over to him ; and if he does n’t, you 


206 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


and I will lead a free and easy life here in 
the mountains, until your uncle ransoms you. 
I ’ye got two strings to my bow this time.’^ 
Pierre pulled his prisoner to a tree, to which 
he tied him securely with his lasso, Frank of- 
fering no resistance. He was too weak to lift 
a finger in his defense, and, as for remon- 
strance, he knew that would be useless, and so 
he held his peace. 

You take it very coolly,” remarked Pierre. 
^^Why don^t you say something?” 

If I had n’t been knocked about until the 
strength was all beaten out of me, I should 
have done something before this time,” replied 
Frank, boldly. ^^Give me my liberty, and 
fifteen minutes’ rest, and I’ll make trouble 
for you.” 

H’m ! ” said Pierre. I can’t see it. 
You have made trouble enough for me al- 
ready.” 

^^And you haven’t seen the last of me yet,” 
added Frank. 

I know it. I told you that I should come 
back to you, didn’t I?” 

I mean that you will meet me under very 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 207 

different circumstances. We will change places 
in less than twenty-four hours. 

Frank said this with no other object in 
view, than to let Pierre know that he still 
kept up a brave heart, if the future was dark 
before him. There was nothing in his pros- 
pects, just then, to encourage the hope that he 
and his enemy would change places,’’ and he 
little dreamed that such would be the case ; 
but, after all, something very like it did hap- 
pen, and in less than half the time Frank had 
mentioned. Pierre, hoAvever, happy in the be- 
lief that his dreams of wealth w'ere about to be 
realized, had no misgivings. He laughed at 
his prisoner’s warning, and springing into his 
saddle, disappeared in the darkness. Frank 
listened to the sound of his horse’s feet until 
it died away in the distance, and then rested 
his aching head against the tree, and thought 
over his situation. What an eventful day it 
had been ! What astonishing adventures had 
been crowded into the short space of ten hours ! 
Frank’s mind was in a perfect whirl ; and, if 
he could have freed his hands, he would have 
pinched himself to see if he was really wide 


208 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


awake. But, after all, he knew that the events 
of the day were no dream — his aching limbs 
and throbbing head assured him of that. The 
fight wdth Old Davy, Archie’s mishap, and his 
mysterious disappearance at Don Carlos’ ran- 
cho, ithe death of the trapper, and the unex- 
pected encounter with Pierre Costello — all were 
realities. It was no dream, either, that he had 
been bound to a tree and left in those dark 
woods; and it was equally certain that he was 
not the only living thing there. He heard a 
stealthy step on the leaves, and a moment after- 
ward, saw a pair of eyes, which shone like two 
coals of fire, glaring at him from a thicket not 
far distant. 

It ’s a panther ! ” exclaimed Frank, trem- 
bling all over with terror, and much more 
alarmed now than he had been when he found 
himself in the power of his old enemy ; and 
here I am perfectly helpless. Hi ! hi ! ” 

Acting upon his first impulse, which was 
to frighten away his disagreeable neighbor, 
he uttered a series of yells which awoke the 
echoes far and near. The result greatly as- 
tonished him. An answering shout came from 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


209 


the farther end of the ravine, and hasty foot- 
steps were heard approaching. Frank’s heart 
beat high with hope. Had friends been fol- 
lowing him? More likely they were some of 
the settlers, who had been out hunting, and 
were returning to their homes. In either case 
he would soon be free once more, and his first 
care would be to show Pierre that, if he had 
come back to the settlement, expecting to have 
things all his own way, he had reckoned with- 
out his host. He shouted again, and the eyes 
in the bushes disappeared, and he heard the 
panther bounding up the mountain. 

Hallo ! ” called a voice through the dark- 
ness. 

Hallo ! ” replied Frank. This way. Here 
I am.” 

The unknown persons were prompt to an- 
swer the call, and came through the bushes 
with all possible speed. Presently, Frank saw 
two dark forms approaching, and in a few 
seconds they were close at his side, and peer- 
ing into his face. Why was it that he did not 
speak to them and tell them what had hap- 
pened to him? Simply because there was no 
14 


210 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


need of it. The men knew quite as much about 
it as he did. lie had seen them before, and 
knew that they were members of Don Carlos’ 
band. The first words they uttered explained 
their presence there, and told Frank that they 
perfectly understood the matter. 

Pierre thinks he is smart,” said one, unty- 
ing the lasso with which Frank was bound to 
the tree ; but he will find that there are men 
in the world as sharp as he is. We knew 
what was up when we saw him ride into the 
woods, instead of going toward the rancho. 
He tried to swindle us out of our share of the 
money, and now we will see how much of it 
he’ll get.” 

In less time than it takes to tell it, Frank 
had been tied upon a horse behind one of the 
Mexicans, and was being carried back to the 
rancho. He did not experience much incon- 
venience from the ride, for the Mexicans trav- 
eled slowly, and avoided the woods altogether. 
At the end of half an hour they stopped in 
front of the walls of the rancho ; and when the 
ponderous gate closed behind him, Frank shud- 
dered and thought of the prediction Pierre had 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


211 


made. He glanced around the court, and saw 
that it was lighted up by numerous dark-lan- 
terns, and filled with men, who seemed to be 
highly excited and enraged about something. 
They were all talking at the top of their 
voices, and the babel of English and Spanish 
was almost deafening. Archie had been the 
cause of this disturbance. Not more than half 
an hour before he had been flying about that 
court with all the speed his horse could com- 
mand; and, having failed in his attempt at 
escape, he had taken refuge in the house. The 
Mexicans had seen him run through the hall, 
and into the Don’s reception-room, and had, 
of course, expected to capture him there; but 
they found the room empty, and could not 
imagine where Archie had gone. His disap- 
pearance astonished and alarmed them. They 
did not know that he was acquainted with the 
secret of that spring in the painting of the In- 
dian warrior. 

Conspicuous among a group of men who 
occupied the center of the court, stood the 
Don, who was, if possible, more excited and 
noisy than any of his band. He looked up 


212 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


•when Frank’s captors stopped in front of him, 
and rubbed his hands gleefully together. 

Ach ! Here is von of dese leetle poys,” 
said he. ^^Now dis ish all right!” 

As soon as the lasso, with which Frank was 
confined to the horse, had been untied, he was 
assisted rather roughly to the ground. He put 
on a bold front, and unflinchingly met the 
angry glances that were directed toward him 
from all sides ; but his heart was sinking with- 
in him, and he waited anxiously for the chief 
to speak. 

^^Yel,” said the latter, at length, ^^you peen 
trying to shpy out somethings about mine 
house, aint it? You peen von grand, leetle 
rascal. Vare ish dis other leetle poys? 

Who — Archie ? I do n’t know where he 
is ; and, if I did, it is not likely that I should 
tell you. I hope he is safe at home.” . 

^^Oh no, he don’t peen at home,” said the 
Don, shaking his head vehemently ; he ish 
somevares in dis house. Dake him down and 
lock him up.” 

The chief’s looks had prepared Frank for 
some terrible senteEce. He would not have 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


213 


been much surprised if he had heard that he 
was to be hanged or shot immediately ; but, 
when he found that he was to be locked up, his 
courage rose again, and he began to indulge in 
the hope that a chance for escape might yet be 
offered him. In obedience to the Don’s order, 
the Rancheros conducted him to one of the 
rooms in the underground portion of the ran- 
cho, and after tying him hand and foot, left him 
to his meditations. But he was not destined to 
remain there long, for Archie fortunately stum- 
bled upon him and released him. 

We left the boys struggling with the Ran- 
chero who had come in to satisfy himself that 
Frank had not yet found means to effect his 
escape. Archie was holding fast to his legs, 
and Frank had grasped him by the throat and 
stifled his cry for help. 

can hold him now,” said the latter. 

Shut that door, and get something to tie him 
with.” 

The ropes with which Frank had been bound 
were brought into requisition, and in a few 
seconds, the Mexican, in spite of his furious 
struggles, was helpless. Archie had shown 


214 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


considerable generalship in the part he had 
played in this transaction. If the Ranchero 
had been permitted to return to his friends, he 
would, of course, have informed them that 
Frank had been liberated by somebody, and 
that would have told the Don just where to 
search for Archie. He knew that Archie was 
somewhere in the rancho, but thus far he had 
been unable to get on the track of him. The 
building was large, the underground rooms and 
passage-ways numerous, the doors all locked, 
and as long as the boys could keep their ene- 
mies from learning their exact whereabouts, 
there was little danger of capture. 

‘^Now, then, what is to be done with this 
fellow asked Frank, when his cousin had 
securely bound the prisoner. 

^^JLet’s give him one for Dick Lewis, said 
Archie, brandishing his heavy pistol in the air. 
^^A crack over the head with this would do 
him a wonderful sight of good.’^ 

^^No! no!^’ exclaimed Frank. He took 
no part in that affair.’’ 

No doubt he would if he had had the chance. 
Let’s lock him in here, and leave him.” 


AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


215 


He ’ll call for help, won’t he ? ” 

We do n’t care if he does. Even if he suc- 
ceeds in making himself heard through these 
thick waMs, his friends can’t release him until 
they have cut down one of these doors ; and 
by the time they get that done, we may be out 
of this den of robbers, and half way home.” 

Archie began trying his keys in the lock of 
of the door, and finally found one that would 
fit it. Then, after the prisoner had been pulled 
into one corner, the cousins passed out of the 
room, locking the door after them. 


216 


DON CADLOS’ EANCHO. 


CHAPTER XIY. 

THE DON IN TEOUBLE. 

^^Ty'HAT is to be done now?’^ asked Frank, 
** as he and Archie walked slowly along 
the dark passage-way. 

There ’s only one thing we can do/' replied 
the latter, ^^and that is, to explore every room 
we come to until we find our way out of the 

rancho. Of course there is danger in it, but 

There 's one of the rascals J ” 

A slight noise, a little in advance of them, 
attracted the attention of Archie, who elevated 
his lantern, and peered through the darkness 
just in time to catch a glimpse of a Ranchero, 
running swiftly toward the other end of the 
passage. Frank's revolver was cocked and lev- 
eled in an instant, but he was too late to stop 
the man, who had no sooner been discovered 
than he vanished from their sight. He did 


THE DON IN TEOTJBLE. 


217 


not go far, however, but stopped at the end of 
the passage, and keeping his eyes fastened upon 
Archie’s lantern, called loudly for help. 

ft ^e’re discovered at last,” whispered Frank. 

^^But we’re not caught,” was Archie’s en- 
couraging reply. Let’s go into this room.” 

Archie had noticed one thing that night, 
and that was, that the greater the hurry he 
was in to find a key to open any of the doors, 
the more time he wasted in finding it. There 
must have been twenty-five or thirty keys on 
the bunch, and he tried nearly all of them, be- 
fore he found one that would turn the bolt. 
His hand trembled so violently that he could 
scarcely insert the keys into the lock, and, in 
his haste, he dropped the bunch more than 
once. 

^^How thankful I would be if that fellow 
should lose the power of speech for about five 
minutes,” said Archie, who seemed to be very 
much disconcerted by the Mexican’s furious 
yells. I might as well give it up,” he added, 
^ in despair. If the right key is on this bunch, 
I can’t find it.” 

Never say die,” replied Frank, who stood 


218 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


close at his cousin’s side, holding the lantern 
in one hand, and his revolver in the other. 

We ’ll not give up until we are bound hand 
and foot.” 

All this while the Mexican had never once 
ceased his calls for assistance. He kept up a 
continuous roar, and presently answering shouts, 
and the tramping of numerous feet, told the 
fugitives that he had succeeded in attracting 
the attention of some of his companions. The 
reinforcements came on rapidly, and arrived in 
sight, and Archie had not yet been able to find 
a key that would open the door. 

^^Take it easy,” said Frank, who began to 
fear that his cousin’s nervousness and impa- 
tience would prove their ruin. He spoke calmly 
enough, but his face was very pale, and the lan- 
tern trembled in his grasp. This was the se- 
verest test that had been applied to his courage 
since he stood at that log awaiting the approach 
of the wounded and enraged grizzly; and yet 
he could speak in his ordinary tone of voice, 
without the least impatience, and advise liis 
terrified and excited cousin to ^Hake it easy.” 
It showed what nerve he had. He was getting 


THE HON IN TEOUBLE. 


219 


desperate ; and while he kept one eye upon 
Archie, and the other turned toward the farther 
end of the passage, he was calculating his 
chances for emptying his six-shooter among 
the Mexicans, before they could close around 
him. There is nothing to be gained by being 
in such a hurry,^’ he added, as his cousin once 
more dropped the keys. ^^The more haste the 
less speed, you know.’^ 

At this moment lights flashed in the passage, 
and dark forms came on at a rapid run. The 
prospect was certainly disheartening. Their 
only chance for escape was through that door, 
which refused to open for them, and there were 
their enemies, at least half a dozen of them, not 
more than twenty feet distant. But their good 
fortune had not yet deserted them. The right 
key was found, just in the nick of time — not a 
single instant too soon — the door flew open, 
and Frank and Archie, uttering a simultaneous 
cry of joy, slipped through and slammed it be- 
hind them. The moment it was closed Frank 
braced himself against it, and Archie inserted 
the key into the lock ; but, before he could turn 
the bolt, a strong hand grasped the latch, and 


220 


DON CARLOS^ RANCHO. 


a stalwart Mexican threw his weight against 
the door, which was forced partly open, in spite 
of all Frank’s efforts to prevent it. A moment 
afterward, a hand holding a murderous looking 
bowie-knife appeared, followed first by a dark, 
scowling face, and then by a pair of broad 
shoulders. One of the Mexicans, who had 
reached the door a little in advance of his com- 
panions, was trying to squeeze himself into the 
the room ; and he seemed in a fair way to ac- 
complish his object. 

‘‘ Here ’s fifty thousand dollars,” said he, ex- 
ultingly. Come here, somebody. He’s got a 
pistol.” 

The boys jammed the door against the Ran- 
chero, with all their strength, but he was a 
match for both of them, and besides he had a 
great advantage. Frank and Archie could find 
no foothold upon the hard dirt floor. Their 
feet slipped about in every direction, and the 
Mexican, having braced himself against the 
door-post, was slowly but surely pushing them 
back. He would certainly have succeeded in 
working his way into the room, had it not been 
for Frank’s revolver. The sight of the cocked 


THE DON IN TEOUBLE. 


221 


weapon, thrust full in his face, drove him back, 
and before the rest of the Mexicans could come 
to his assistance, the door was closed and fas- 
tened. 

Whew ! whispered Archie, drawing a long 
breath, and wiping the big drops of perspira- 
tion from his forehead, that was a close shave, 
was n’t it ? It does n’t seem to suit them very 
well.” 

If one might judge by the uproar that arose 
in the passage, the Mexicans were certainly 
very much disappointed. They yelled at the 
top of their lungs, and some struck the door 
with their knives, while others threw them- 
selves against it and tried to burst it open. 
But that door was not a common door. It was 
made of heavy planks, and was strong enough 
to successfully resist all their attacks. There 
was but one way in which they could effect an 
entrance, and that was by cutting the door down 
with an ax. Before that could be done, the 
fugitives would have ample time to hunt up a 
new hiding-place. 

The boys had been so terrified by their recent 
danger, and so intent on preventing their ene- 


222 


DON CARLOS RANCHO. 


mies from following them into the room, that 
they had not thought of any thing else. They 
had not had time to look about the apartment 
in which they had taken refuge; and if there 
had been a dozen men in there, they would not 
have known it. As soon as they had some- 
what recovered their composure, and satisfied 
themselves that their enemies in the passage- 
■way could not immediately effect an entrance, 
they began an examination of the room, and 
found that, like most of the others in the un- 
derground portion of the rancho, it was used 
as a receptacle for various odds and ends, being 
filled with boxes, bales of goods, and articles 
of like description. They noticed also that the 
room communicated with another, and that 
the door between them stood wide open ; and 
scarcely had they observed these points, before 
they became aware that there were men on the 
opposite side of that door. They could not see 
them, but they could distinctly hear their voices. 
One was angrily demanding something, and 
another was answering in an imploring tone. 
The men, whoever they were, had evidently 
got into some difficulty ; for, with the voices, 


THE DON IN TEOUBLE. 


223 


was occasionally mingled the sounds of a furi- 
ous struggle. 

There \s a fight going on in there/^ whis- 
pered Archie. I hope they will keep one an- 
other employed until we can get out of here. 
Which way shall we go?^^ 

That was the very question Frank was ask- 
ing himself, and it was one he could not answer. 
If they went back into the passage, they would 
run directly into the clutches of their enemies ; 
and if they retreated into the adjoining room, 
they would be captured by the men who were 
quarreling there. It would be useless for them 
to conceal themselves among the boxes and 
bales of goods, for two men could thoroughly 
ransack the room in half a minute^s time, and 
their hiding-place would speedily be discovered. 

^^Oh, we are caught at last,’^ said Archie, 
after he had thought the matter over. ^^We 
canT stir a step, for our enemies are all around 
us.^^ 

Thump! thump! Both boys jumped as if 
some one had suddenly fired a pistol close to 
their ears. The Kancheros in the passage had 
secured an ax, and were beginning the work 


224 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


of cutting down the door. The blows fell fast 
and furiously, and before the cousins had fairly 
made up their minds what was going on, the 
door began to shake and tremble violently. 
Something must be done at once; for in two 
minutes more the room would be filled with 
Eancheros. The boys looked at each other, 
and both seemed to have decided upon the same 
course of action ; for, with one accord, they 
started toward the opposite side of the room. 
They moved swiftly, but noiselessly, and when 
they reached the door, they stopped and looked 
in and beheld a scene that filled them with as- 
tonishment. By the light of a lantern, which 
stood on a table in the center of the room, they 
saw a man lying upon the floor, and another 
kneeling upon his breast, and holding him by 
the throat with one hand, while, with the other, 
he flourished a knife in the air. The prostrate 
man was the chief of the robber band, and his 
antagonist was Pierre Costello. They were talk- 
ing in angry, excited tones, and during the few 
seconds the cousins stood at the door, undecided 
how to act, they caught enough of the conversa- 
tion to understand the cause of the trouble. 


THE DON IN TROUBLE. 


225 


Pierre had boasted to Frank, before he left 
him in the ravine, that he had two strings to 
his bow this time. In case Don Carlos refused 
to pay him the reward he had otfered for 
Frank^s capture, he would keep his prisoner 
safe, until his uncle ransomed him. If one 
failed, the other would not, for Mr. Winters 
would willingly give every cent he was^ worth, 
rather than permit harm to befall his nephew. 
But something was always happening to upset 
Pierre’s plans. The Kancheros, whom he had 
tried to cheat out of their share of the money, 
had followed him to the mountains, and taken 
charge of the prisoner themselves. Pierre was 
in the court when Frank was brought in, and 
although he said nothing, he was highly en- 
raged. He could, of course, have claimed a 
portion of the reward, but that would not sat- 
isfy him — he wanted it all ; and he mentally 
resolved that, before morning, he would smug- 
gle Frank out of the rancho, and carry him 
back to the mountains. 

While thinking the matter over, and trying 
to decide upon the best plan for accomplishing 
his object, he came to the conclusion that it 
15 


226 


DON CAELOS EANCHO. 


would be well to make a change in his pro- 
gramme. He was satisfied that the events of 
the night had broken up the robber band (the 
disappearance of Frank and Archie would create 
a great commotion in the settlement, and the 
Don’s secret would be certain to leak out some- 
where), and Pierre determined to secure his 
own safety by deserting his friends, and leaving 
the country. He would not, however, go empty 
handed. The Don had plenty of gold stowed 
away in some secret cavern ; Pierre wanted 
some of it; and the only way he could get it 
was to compel the chief to conduct him to its 
place of concealment. This he had decided to 
do; and when the Don went below to renew 
his search for Archie, Pierre accompanied him; 
and after leading him into a deserted room in 
a remote corner of the rancho (one of the few 
which happened to be unlocked), he ordered 
the D(^ to show him where the coveted gold 
was hidden. Frightened by the sight of the 
knife which Pierre brandished before his eyes, 
the chief would have gladly complied with the 
demand, but, for the simple reason, that he 
could not get into the room where his treasure 


THE DON IN TEOUBLE. 


227 


was concealed. The key was attached to the 
bunch in Archie’s pocket. He had long ago 
missed the keys from their accustomed nail in 
his room, but he did not know what had be- 
come of them. 

I do n’t can do it, Meester Bierre,” groaned 
the Don, for the twentieth time. do n’t got 
de key. It’s lost.” 

^^You can’t make^me believe that story,” re- 
plied Pierre, tightening his grasp on the Don’s 
throat, and raising his knife as he spoke. 

Once more, and for the last time, where 
is it?” 

The Don’s answer was cut short by an inter- 
ruption that was as sudden as it was unex- 
pected. Two figures glided quickly into the 
room, and while one stopped to close and lock 
the door, the other ran straight up to Pierre, 
and presented a cocked revolver in his face. 
The robber, who had been so fully occupied 
with the Don that he had not heard the sounds 
of the ax, or the noise occasioned by the strug- 
gle at the door, was astonished beyond measure. 
The hand in which he held the knife fell slowly 
to his side, his under jaw dropped down, and 


228 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


he shrunk away from the muzzle of the re- 
volver without uttering a word. 

^^Ach exclaimed the Don, who was no less 
amazed than Pierre, here ish von of dese 
leetle poys!^^ 

Here are both of them,’^ said Archie, who, 
having succeeded in finding a key to lock the 
door, now hurried up with a pistol in each hand. 

W ell — by — gracious ! Pierre Costello ! ” 
Archie was as much astonished at finding 
himself in the presence of his old enemy, as his 
cousin had been. He bent down and gazed 
earnestly into Pierre^s face, and then straight- 
ened up and leveled both his pistols at the rob- 
ber’s head. ^^Why, Frank!” he exclaimed, 
‘4t’s he, sure enough.” 

I know it. This is not the first time I have 
met him to-night. Drop that knife,” he added, 
sternly, addressing himself to Pierre. “Now, 
stretch yourself out on the floor, face down- 
ward, and put your hands behind your back.” 

The Ranchero, at this moment, did not act 
much like the reckless, desperate man he had 
appeared a short time before. The sight of the 
pistols took all the courage out of him ; and he 


THE DON IN TROUBLE. 


229 


obeyed both Frank’s commands without an in- 
stant’s hesitation. The sash, which the latter 
wore around his waist, answered all the pur- 
poses of a rope, and Pierre speedily found him- 
self as helpless as though he had been in 
double-irons. 

The Don, in the meantime, had regained his 
feet, and stood watching all that was going on 
with a smile of great satisfaction on his face. 
The astonishment occasioned by the unexpected 
appearance of the boys, was, for the moment, 
lost sight of in the delight and thankfulness he 
felt at finding himself released from the power 
of his enemy. 

^^Now, dis ish all right,” said he, gleefully. 

It ’s petter you makes dat rope pooty fast, 
leetle poys. Ach ! I fix you, Meester Bierre,” 
he added, shaking his clenched hand at the 
prostrate robber ; I makes blenty droubles for 
you, mine friend. Come mit me, leetle poys; 
I shows you de way out, now.” 

Frank and Archie were not in the least sur- 
prised at this proposition. It was a part of 
their plan to compel the Don to guide them 
out of the rancho, and they knew that he would 


230 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


readily consent. They knew, too, that he was 
as treacherous as an Indian, and that he would 
bear watching. It was their intention to keep 
as close to him as possible. 

^^Go ahead, Don," said Archie, taking the 
lantern from the table; ^^but bear one thing 
in mind, and that is, at the very first exhibi- 
tion of treachery on your part, we will shoot 
you with as little hesitation as we shot Old 
Davy this morning." 

The chief earnestly protested that tbe boys 
need have no fears on that score. They had 
done him a great service in saving him from 
the knife of Pierre Costello, and he would re- 
pay it by showing them the way out of the 
rancho. Besides, he was not foolish enough to 
attempt any treachery, while those three loaded 
pistols were so near him. The boys listened 
to all he said, but did not believe a word of it. 
It was not reasonable to suppose that he would 
permit them to escape, when he knew that, as 
soon as they reached home, they would tell 
their friends every thing that had happened at 
the rancho. They were as well satisfied that 
he had some plan in his head, as if he had told 


THE DON IN TROUBLE. 


231 


them so ; but they were resolved to watch him 
so closely that he would have no opportunity 
to carry it out. 

When Archie picked up the lantern, the Don 
started toward a door at the farther end of the 
room, which, upon being opened, revealed a 
narrow stone stairway leading up to the rooms 
above. As they were about to ascend these 
stairs, a loud crash in the adjoining room, fol- 
lowed by a chorus of hoarse yells, told the boys 
that the E-anoheros had at last succeeded in 
cutting down the door. The Don would have 
stopped to inquire into the cause of the dis- 
turbance, but his companions pushed him on ; 
and while Frank watched him to see that he 
did not escape, Archie overhauled his keys un- 
til he found one that would lock the door. 
This done, the Don led the way up the stairs, 
the boys following close at his heels. 


232 


* BON CAIILOS’ EANCHO. 


CHAPTER xy. 

THE BEIDGE OF CLOUDS. 

rpHERE seemed to be no end to the stairway. 

It wound and twisted about in a bewilder- 
ing fashion, and, before they reached the top, 
Frank and Archie came to the conclusion that 
they had either been a long way under the 
ground, or else that the rancho was a much 
taller building than they had imagined it to be. 
At last, however, their guide pushed open a 
door, and the boys found themselves in the 
same room to which he had conducted them 
when they first arrived at the rancho. Still 
closely followed by his watchful companions, 
the Don went straight across the room, and 
stopped in front of a wardrobe. 

^^Now, leetle poys,” said he, addressing him- 
self to Archie, ‘^you got the keys. Make dis 
door open.^^ 


THE BRIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


233 


Archie quickly found a key that would fit 
the lock, and when the boys entered the ward- 
robe, they discovered that, although it was used 
as a receptacle for clothing, it was intended 
to conceal a door that led into some secret 
apartment. When this door had been opened — 
it was so heavy that it taxed Archie’s strength 
to the utmost to move it — the cousins found 
themselves in a room, about twenty feet square, 
which had one peculiarity that they noticed as 
soon as they crossed the threshold. There was 
not a single opening in it; and when Archie 
had shut the door, they found themselves sur- 
rounded on all sides by rough stone walls. 
Even the door itself, which closed behind them 
with the sharp click of a spring lock, could 
not be seen. 

say, Don,” exclaimed Frank, ^^what use 
do you make of this dungeon ? I do n’t see 
any thing stowed away here.” 

The chief’s answer was not given in words. 
He was standing close by Frank’s side, and 
before the latter could rnove, he had suddenly 
jerked the lantern from his hand, and dashed 
it upon the floor, smashing it into a thousand 


234 


DON CARLOS^ RANCHO. 


pieces, and extinguishing the light. As quick 
as thought Frank bounded forward, and made 
a blind clutch at the place where he had last 
seen the Don, but with no other result than to 
come in violent contact with the wall. A mo- 
ment afterward, the astonished and bewildered 
boys heard a grating sound at the other side 
of the room, and the Don’s voice calling to 
them through the darkness. 

^^Dis ish all right,” said he. ^^Dere’s some- 
things shtowed away here now, ain’t it? It’s 
petter you shtays here awhile.” 

The truth flashed through the boys’ minds 
at once — they were prisoners again. In spite 
of all their vigilance, the chief had succeeded 
in carrying out the plan he had formed while 
he was watching the operation of binding 
Pierre Costello. His movements had been so 
rapid, that, even had his captives been aware 
of his intention, they could not have prevented 
him from carrying it into execution. Before 
they could tell what was the matter, the lantern 
had been smashed, their treacherous enemy had 
made his exit from the room in some mysterious 
manner, and they were alone in the darkness. 


/ 


THE BEIDGE OF CLOUDS. 235 

^^We’re in for it now/^ panted Archie, sink- 
ing down upon the floor all in a heap. We Ve 
got out of some tight places to-night, but there 
is no escape from this predicament. The Don 
will soon be back with his men.^^ 

^^And if they once get their hands upon us, 
we need never expect to see home again,^^ said 
Frank. ^^Give me some of your matches, and 
we will examine the walls of this dungeon. 
There’s a spring to that door, and if we can 
find it, we can get out.” 

After the matches had been lighted, the boys 
found that the first difficulty to be overcome 
was the finding of the door. They did not 
know where to look for it, for the walls ap- 
peared to be as solid as the ground. They 
made the circuit of the room several times, 
lighting new matches as fast as the old ones 
were consumed, and carefully examining each 
separate stone in the wall, from the floor up to 
a level with their heads; but nothing in the 
shape of a spring or lock rewarded their search. 
Then they turned their attention to the floor; 
but, if there was any opening in the solid oak 
planks, it could not be found. Five minutes — 


236 DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 

it seemed much longer to the frightened and 
excited boys — were passed in this way, and 
then, for the first time that night, Frank’s 
courage and fortitude were utterly exhausted. 

‘‘It’s no use,” said he. “The Don got out 
somewhere, but it is very evident that we can’t. 
We might as well sit down, and wait for him 
to come in and dispose of us. Do you see any 
thing encouraging?” he added, noticing that 
his cousin was holding a match above his head, 
and closely examining the roof of the dungeon. 

“ I believe I do,” replied Archie. “ Is n’t 
that a scuttle?” 

“That’s just what it is,” exclaimed Frank, 
joyfully; “and it is fastened with hooks.” 

“ Oh, if we could only get up there,” cried 
Archie. “But there isn’t a thing here for a 
fellow to stand upon.” 

“ I ’ve got a pair of shoulders. Come here, 
and I will hold you up.” 

After burning another match to determine 
the exact position of the scuttle, Frank took 
his stand directly beneath it, and in a moment 
more, Archie was balanced on his shoulders, 
and panting loudly, as he strove with nervous 


THE BEIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


237 


haste to unfasten the hooks. Every thitig 
bothers when one is in a hurry, and one’s fin- 
gers are all thumbs. It was awkward working 
in that intense darkness, and, besides, the hooks 
had been driven into the staples so tightly, that 
it required the outlay of all Archie’s strength 
to start them. But patience and perseverance 
conquered at last, and in an excited voice he 
informed his cousin that he had unfastened the 
scuttle, and asked him if he should open it. 

^^Of course,” replied Frank. 

^^But how do we know what we shall find on 
the other side? Perhaps it leads into a room 
full of Mexicans.” 

^^We must run that risk. Venture nothing, 
gain nothing, you know.” 

Frank awaited the issue of events with a 
good deal of anxiety. He heard the heavy 
scuttle lifted slowly and cautiously from its 
place, then a smothered cry of exultation, and 
the weight was suddenly lifted from his shoul- 
ders. Upon looking up, he saw the stars shin- 
ing down upon him through the scuttle-hole, 
and his cousin’s heels disappearing over the 
combings. 


238 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


We are safe now/’ wliispered Archie, thrust- 
ing his head into the opening, and extending 
his hand down into the darkness. I am on 
the roof of the rancho. Give us your fist.” 
can’t reach you,” replied Frank. 

Archie hesitated a moment, and then pulled 
off his jacket, and firmly grasping one of the 
sleeves, threw the other down to his cousin. 
One hundred and fifty pounds was no light 
weight for a boy of his size to sustain, but he 
clung manfully to the jacket, while Frank went 
up, hand-over-hand, as a sailor goes up a rope. 
He soon ascended high enough to seize the 
combings of the scuttle, and in a moment more 
stood safe upon the roof. 

The cousins did not stop to congratulate 
themselves upon their good fortune. Time was 
much too precious for that, and, besides, they 
did not yet regard their escape as a settled 
thing. There was the creek to be crossed; a 
belt of timber to be passed; and five miles of 
lonely prarie to be traversed, before they reached 
their uncle’s rancho ; and there was no know- 
ing what might happen to them while they 
were making this journey. Their first care was 


THE BEIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


239 


to put the scuttle back in its place, so that the 
Don, when he returned to the dungeon, should 
not immediately discover the manner of their 
escape, and the next to reconnoiter the ground 
before them. They found themselves on the 
roof of a wing of the rancho — a space about 
twenty feet square. On three sides was a stone 
parapet, two feet high, and on the fourth 
loomed up the walls of the main building. In 
this wall was a door, which opened upon the 
wing. The boys merely glanced at it, and 
scarcely thought of it again; but they after- 
ward had good cause to remember it. They 
looked all around them, but there was no one 
in sight ; they listened intently, but could hear 
nothing. 

^^The coast seems to be clear,” said Archie, 
walking to the parapet and looking cautiously 
over, and we had better be off. It is nT more 
than fifteen or twenty feet to the ground, and 
we can hang by our hands and drop without 
much danger of injuring ourselves.” 

^^Be careful,” said Frank. sprained an- 
kle would nT be a funny thing, just now.” 

The boys jumped upon the wall, and were 


k 

240 DON CABLOS’ EANCHO. 

on the point of swinging themselves over, when 
an interruption they had not dreamed of ar- 
rested their movements. Frank^s quick ear 
caught the faint tramping of horses’ hoofs. He 
laid his hand upon his cousin’s arm, and they 
sprang back to the roof, and concealed them- 
selves behind the parapet. 

Something is always bothering us,” said 
Archie, straining his eyes through the darkness 
in the direction from which the sound came. 

What ’s up now, I wonder ! ” 

If Frank had known just what was about 
to transpire, he could not have described it in 
less time than the scene occupied in taking 
place. While Archie was speaking, the sound 
of the horses’ hoofs ceased, and a faint light, 
like that emitted by a match, blazed up in the 
bushes on the opposite side of the creek. The 
signal (for the boys were sure it was a signal) 
was repeated twice, and then arose a commotion 
in the house, as if men were running hurriedly 
about. This continued for a few seconds, and 
then a flatboat suddenly made its appearance in 
the creek. Where it came from, the boys could 
not imagine ; but there it was, and there was a 


THE BRIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


241 


man in it, who was sculling it toward the op- 
posite bank. 

By — gracious ! whispered Archie, in great 
excitement. ^^We are going to witness the 
very scene that frightened old Bob so badly 

^^But Bob must have been dreaming,^^ an- 
swered Frank. ^^He said the boat was ferried 
across without hands, and that man is using 
an oar.” 

Our heroes were too deeply interested in 
what was going on to continue the conversa- 
tion. Archie pulled oif his sombrero, and 
pushed back his sleeves, as if he were preparing 
for a trial of strength with somebody, while 
Frank settled himself into a comfortable posi- 
tion behind the parapet, after the manner of a 
boy who had selected his favorite book from 
the library, and seated himself in an easy chair 
to enjoy it. They kept a sharp lookout, for 
they were determined that not even the small- 
est incident should escape their notice. They 
had an opportunity now to learn the secret of 
these strange doings, and, when they were over, 
they would know as much about them as Don 
Carlos himself. 

16 


242 


DON CADLOS’ RANCHO. 


At the same moment that the flatboat ap- 
peared, the boys heard the grating noise below 
them, and suddenly the banks of the creek and 
the woods, for two hundred yards around, which 
had been shrouded in darkness an instant be- 
fore, were flooded with light. 

^‘1 know what Bob’s ^streaks of Are’ are 
now,” said Frank. 

That light comes from a dark-lantern,” 
chimed in Archie. There’s only one thing, 
so far, that I can’t understand, and that is, 
where that boat came from in such a hurry. 
What’s that?” 

Just then a large white object, which ap- 
peared to unfold itself as it moved along, came 
into view, and rolled down the bank toward 
the creek. It stopped when it reached the 
water’s edge, thus forming a walk, which ex- 
tended from the creek to the walls of the ran- 
cho. This was another thing that Archie could 
not understand, and neither could Frank. They 
knew that it was what the trapper had called 
the bridge of clouds,” — and there it was, 
rolling and tumbling, like the smoke from 
the mouth of a cannon,” just as Dick had de- 


THE BEIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


243 


scribed it to them — but what was it made of? 
that was the question. Of course it couldn’t 
be a cloud, but it certainly looked like one. 
Archie sank lower behind the parapet, and 
muttered his favorite expression a good many 
times, and Frank puffed out his cheeks, and 
scratched his head to stir up his ideas. 

While the bridge of clouds (the boys did not 
know what else to call it) was placing itself in 
position on that side of the creek, a similar 
operation had been going on on the opposite 
bank. The boat had by this time crossed the 
creek, and a white object, like the one just de- 
scribed — another bridge of clouds — extended 
from it into the woods. Presently, two horse- 
men appeared, riding down the bridge toward 
the boat. One was mounted on Roderick, and 
the other on King James; and each led a horse 
which had doubtless been stolen that night. 
They rode upon the flatboat, the bridge along 
which they had just passed rolled itself up 
after them, and the boat began to move across 
the creek. It was plain, now, that the old 
trapper had not been dreaming. The horsemen 
were still in their saddles; the Mexican, who 


244 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


had gone over in the boat, was standing quietly 
in the stern; the oar lay upon the bottom 
where he had thrown it; and yet the boat 
moved rapidly through the water. There was 
no mistake about it, for the boys could see the 
whole proceeding as plainly as though it had 
been broad daylight. The boat was certainly 
coming across the creek, and it was equally 
certain that not one of its three passengers was 
propelling it. A dozen oarsmen could not 
have sent it through the water as rapidly as it 
was moved by that invisible power. It was 
not more than half-a-minute in crossing the 
creek, and as soon as it touched the bank, the 
horsemen rode out on the bridge of clouds, and 
came toward the rancho. Frank and Archie 
kept close watch of their movements, thrusting 
their heads as far over the parapet as they 
dared, and it seemed to them that the horsemen 
went into the wall. They suddenly disappeared 
somewhere very suddenly ; and no sooner were 
they out of sight, than the bridge of clouds 
rolled itself up behind them, the light was ex- 
tinguished, and darkness once more settled 
down over the rancho. 


THE BRIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


245 


These various incidents followed one another 
with a rapidity that was utterly bewildering. 
The horsemen had crossed the creek, and were 
safe in the rancho, almost before the boys knew 
it. They had moved as swiftly and silently as 
spirits ; and when they had passed out of sight, 
Archie struck the parapet with his fist, to make 
sure that he was awake. He felt the cold chills 
creeping along his back, and he did not wonder 
now that old Bob had been frightened. He 
was willing to confess that he was frightened 
himself. 

Well ! said Frank, after a moment’s pause. 

Do n’t ask me any questions,” replied 
Archie. ‘‘1 don’t know any more about it 
now than I did before. Where did those fel- 
lows go ? ” 

What was that white thing the horses 
walked on, and what moved it ? I did n’t see 
any one near it ! ” 

Where did that flatboat come from, and 
where could it have gone so suddenly ? It dis- 
appeared the instant the horsemen left it.” 

^^No doubt we shall know all about it some 
day,” said Frank — ^Hhat is, if we succeed in 


246 


DON CAELOS’ RANCHO. 


making our escape. I wonder if the coast is 
clear now?’^ 

^^No, it is n’t/^ answered Archie. ^^See 
there ! 

Frank looked over the parapet, and saw a 
Mexican standing in the shadow of the wall 
beneath them. He had doubtless been sta- 
tioned there to see if the horsemen were pur- 
sued. The boys wished him a thousand miles 
away, for he was sadly interfering with their 
arrangements. They waited impatiently for 
him to follow the robbers into the rancho, but 
he seemed to have no such intention. He stood 
there as upright as a post, and as silent and 
motionless. 

^^Are we not having miserable luck?^’ asked 
Archie, impatiently. Let’s jump down on 
him, before he knows it. We can both manage 
him.” 

But we would alarm the rest of the band,” 
replied Frank. Let’s drop down on the 
other side, and go around the rancho.” 

The attention of the boys had been so fully 
occupied with what had just transpired, that 
they had not thought of looking for enemies in 


THE BRIDGE OF CLOUDS. 


247 


their rear. While they were watching the 
Mexican beneath them, the door in the wall 
of the main building, of which we have before 
spoken, was noiselessly opened, and several 
Rancheros, headed by Don Carlos, came out 
and approached the boys on tip-toe. As the 
latter arose to their feet to carry out the plan 
Frank had suggested, Archie’s collar was seized 
in a strong grasp, and his cousin looked up 
just in time to see a long, bony hand stretch- 
ing out toward him. It Avas the robber chiefs 
hand ; but it was much too slow in its move^ 
ments to make a prisoner of Frank Helson* 
The boy lingered just long enough to see that 
the Don was backed up by a force too strong 
to be successfully resisted, and then, striking up 
the threatening hand, he jumped to the parapet 
and swung himself over. He did not immedi- 
ately let go his hold, but looked down to take a 
survey of the ground beneath him. He wanted 
to strike squarely on his feet, in order to be 
on equal terms with the sentinel who would 
doubtless pounce upon him at once. He hung 
suspended in the air but a moment, but that 
was long enough for the Don to reach the 


248 


DON CAELOS’ KANCHO. 


parapet, and bend over and seize him by the 
collar. 

Hold on, leetle poys,^^ exclaimed the chief. 

It ’s petter you comes back here. Ach ! Dis 
ish von grand shwindle,^^ he yelled, changing 
his tone very suddenly. ‘^Vat you making 
here, leetle poys?’^ 

The Don was greatly alarmed now, for he 
was being dragged over the parapet. When he 
seized Frank, he did not attempt to pull him 
back upon the roof, but braced himself, intend- 
ing to hold fast to his prisoner until some of 
his men could come to his assistance. Frank 
understood his plans; and knowing that the 
loss of a single instant might be fatal to him, 
he quickly loosened his grasp upon the wall, 
and seized the Don by the hair. He hoped by 
this move to compel his enemy to let go his 
hold ; but it had a very different result. The 
chief, not being equal to the task of sustaining 
a dead weight of one hundred and fifty pounds 
by the hair of his head, suddenly lost his bal- 
ance, and he and Frank fell whirling through 
the air. 


A RACE IN THE DARK. 


249 


CHAPTEE XYI. 

A RACE IN THE DARK. 

TT seemed to Frank that while he was falling 
he lost his senses. When he came to him- 
self, he was sitting on the ground about ten 
feet from the wall, the Don was lying motion- 
less by his side, and the Mexican, with whom 
Frank expected to have a desperate fight, or a 
hotly-contested foot-race, was kneeling upon 
him and holding him down. More than that, 
a huge door in the wall of the rancho — the 
same one through which the horsemen had dis- 
appeared a few minutes before — had been 
thrown open; the light of a locomotive lamp 
was streaming out; and a crowd of mounted 
men, all armed to the teeth, were charging up 
the bank with furious yells. Frank gazed at 
them with mouth and ^yes wide open ; and so 
bewildered was he, that the Mexican, if he had 


250 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


felt so inclined, might have bound him hand 
and foot without the least difficulty. But it was 
plain that he was not there for that purpose; 
he was devoting himself entirely to Don Carlos. 

^^That was well done, Master Frank,” said 
he, as^he passed his sash around the chiefs 
arms. ^^But there’s going to be a fight here, 
and you had better get out of the way.” 

It was Carlos who spoke, and his words 
brought Frank to his feet immediately. He 
understood it all now. The men, who were 
pouring through the door into the rancho, were 
the settlers, who had come there to rescue him 
and Archie. Frank, however, was not disposed 
to run away because there was going to be a 
fight. A dozen or two men, at least, would be 
killed or wounded, and his cousin might be 
one of the number, unless he was immediately 
liberated. The last Frank saw of him, he was 
struggling in the grasp of a powerful Mexican, 
who had thrown him upon the roof, and was 
holding his hands behind his b^ck, while a 
companion was getting ready to bind him. 
And there were Boderick and King James to 
be looked after, too. During the confusion 


A RACE IN THE DARK. 


251 


some of the robbers might make off with them, 
and that would be a misfortune indeed. Frank 
thought of all these things, and to the utter 
amazement of Carlos, pulled his revolver from 
his pocket, and followed the settlers into the 
rancho. 

When he reached the door he stopped, aston- 
ished at the scene presented to his view. The 
court was filled with men, some on foot, and 
some on horseback ; rifles and pistols were 
cracking in every direction; knives were flash- 
ing in the air; and the din that arose was 
almost deafening. One thing Frank noticed 
immediately, and that was, that the fight was 
not so much of a fight after all. The robbers, 
taken by surprise, and alarmed at the numbers 
and determination of the attacking party, did 
not stop to resist, but made every exertion to 
escape. Some, of course, succeeded ; while 
others were pulled down by lassos, and bound 
hand and foot before they could realize what 
was going on. 

Frank stood' at the door but a moment, but 
that was long enough for a friend of his to find 
and recognize him. It was Marmion. The 


252 


DON CAELOS’ EANCHO. 


dog jumped upon him with every demonstra- 
tion of joy, -and then turned and attacked the 
first man he came to, who happened to be none 
other than Carlos. The latter had taken care 
of his prisoner, and was hurrying in to assist 
the settlers. Marmion discovered his mistake 
after he had bitten the Eanchero, but did not 
seem to be sorry for it. He, no doubt, consid- 
ered it his duty to bite somebody, and it made 
little difference to him who it was. He after- 
ward had an opportunity to try his teeth upon 
an old enemy of his, and he made the most of it. 

Frank’s first care was to look around for 
Archie. He was not in sight, but something 
else was. Roderick was standing near the mid- 
dle of the court, and one of the robbers had 
just grasped the bridle, preparatory to spring- 
ing upon his back. There was not a single 
instant to be lost. That man must not be al- 
lowed to mount the horse, for, if he once got 
fairly into the saddle, he would go out of the 
court with the speed of the wind, and that 
would be the last of Roderick. Frank bounded 
forward, discharging his revolver at the robber 
as he ran ; but, although the man looked around 


A EACE IN THE DAEK. 


253 


to see where the bullet came from, he was not 
frightened from his purpose. His leg was al- 
ready over the saddle, and Roderick was be- 
ginning to move. 

^^Stop, there yelled Frank, w^ho was so 
close to the horse that he could almost seize 
him by the tail. Stop, I say ! ’’ 

The noise in the court was so great that he 
could scarcely hear his own voice. The Mex- 
ican did not hear it, and it is not probable that 
he would have paid any attention to it if he 
had. The revolver cracked once more, but 
something made Frank’s hand unsteady, and 
the bullet went wide of the mark. Roderick 
was certainly lost to him. Again and again 
the six-shooter spoke in decided tones, until 
the last load was discharged ; and still the 
robber rode on. ^yith a cry of impatience 
Frank dashed the now useless weapon to the 
ground, and, scarcely knowing what he was 
doing, started in hot pursuit of the mustang; 
but Marmion, his friend and ally, was swifter 
than he, and now beginning to understand that 
the Mexican ought to be stopped, he ran up 
beside the horse, bounded into the fiir, seized 


254 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


the man by the shoulder, and pulled him from 
the saddle in a twinkling. 

The wild Indian yell to which Frank gave 
utterance as he witnessed this proceeding, would 
have done credit to Dick Lewis himself. He 
did not stop to see what Marmion was going 
to do with the robber, but kept on after the 
mustang, which he now believed would make 
straight for the gate. Koderick, however, 
seemed to be in no hurry to leave the rancho; 
nor was he frightened by the noise and confu- 
sion around him. On the contrary, he ap- 
peared to enjoy it. He arched his neck, laid 
back his ears, and pranced about among the 
excited, struggling men as though he were in 
his natural element; but, being well-trained 
and obedient, he stopped when his master suc- 
ceeded in making him hear his voice, and in a 
few seconds more Frank was safe in the saddle. 
How proud the boy was then ! He was not 
afraid of Don Carlos’ whole band. 

Hurrah for me ! ” he shouted. I am all 
right now. I’d like to see somebody try to 
take you away from me again, old fellow. 
Hallo, here!” 


A RACE IN THE DARK. 


255 


A horse interrupted Frank^s soliloquy — a 
little black horse, which galloped by almost 
within reach of him, and disappeared in the 
darkness outside the gate. He was in sight 
long enough for Frank to see that he carried 
two men on his back, one being seated in the 
saddle, and the other hanging helplessly across 
the pommel. The horse was King James ; the 
man in the saddle was Pierre Costello; and 
the other was Archie Winters. 

The cousins had left Pierre bound hand and 
foot in one of the underground rooms of the 
rancho ; but he did not remain there long, for 
the herdsmen, from whom the boys had so nar- 
rowly escaped, soon cut down the door and re- 
leased him. Pierre explained matters in a few 
words, by saying that the boys had taken him 
unawares, and made a prisoner of him ; but he 
forgot to mention the fact that they had caught 
him almost in the act of murdering Don Carlos. 

Pierre, finding himself once more at liberty, 
ran frantically about the rancho, up stairs and 
down, searching every-where for the boys. He 
found one of them at last, and it was Archie, 
who had been captured on the roof of the wing, 


256 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


and was being carried below. From the men 
who had him in charge, Pierre learned that 
Frank had again escaped, and that the Don 
had been pulled over the parapet. He was 
greatly excited over the news. He did not 
give a second thought to the old Spaniard's 
misfortune — he did not care if the fall had 
broken his neck — but he was highly disgusted 
and enraged to learn that Frank had once more 
slipped through his fingers. He assisted his 
companions in disposing of their prisoner, and, 
when the latter had been locked up, Pierre 
managed to retain possession of the keys. It 
was his intention to go out with the others, 
and assist in recapturing Frank; but if that 
could not be done — if Frank succeeded in elud- 
ing them — he would take Archie to the mount- 
ains in his place. Pierre thought this a decided 
improvement on his old programme. Archie 
was not so large and strong as his cousin, and 
consequently he could be more easily managed. 
He would also bring the same amount of money 
in the shape of a ransom. 

Pierre hurried to the court, and, when he 
arrived there, what was his amazement to find 


A RACE IN THE DARK. 


257 


it filled with settlers ! He did not stop to take 
a second look, but returned with all possible 
haste to the room in which Archie was con- 
fined. Lifting him in his arms as if he had 
been an infant, Pierre ran back to the court, 
and the first object that met his eyes was 
Archie’s horse. To his infinite delight the 
animal did not attempt to elude him ; and 
when he had swung himself into the saddle, 
and pulled his prisoner up in front of him, he 
began to believe that his plans might, after all, 
prove successful. There was only one person 
in all that crowd who saw him as he dashed 
through the gate, and that was Frank Nelson. 
Pierre knew that some one was watching him, 
for he heard a loud command to halt, followed 
by the angry bark of a dog, and a clatter of 
hoofs behind him. He looked over his shoul- 
der, and began to lose heart again. He knew, 
if Archie did not, that Roderick was a better 
horse than the one he was riding ; and that as 
long as Marmio.n was on his trail, he could not 
hope to elude his pursuer. But he did not 
stop. He kept straight on toward the woods, 
and a few rods behind him came the swift 
17 


258 


DON CARLOS' RANCHO. 


mustang, bounding along as easily as though 
he had been furnished with wings. 

During the race that followed, nothing but 
the clatter of the horses' hoofs, and an occa- 
sional angry yelp from Marmion, broke the 
stillness of the night. Across the prairie went 
pursuer and pursued at furious speed, into the 
woods, over logs and rocks, up hill and down, 
through darkness so intense that one could 
scarcely see his hand before him, and finally 
Frank began to wonder at the endurance ex- 
hibited by the little black under his double 
load. But the furious pace was telling on him, 
and with all the whipping and spurring he re- 
ceived, he could not prevent the mustang from 
overtaking him. Pierre saw this, and hastily 
drawing rein, prepared to carry out a plan he 
had determined upon. 

Stop where you are ! " he exclaimed, in a 
most savage tone of voice. ^^If you advance 
another step" 

The robber was about to say that if Frank 
came any nearer he would bury his knife in 
Archie's body ; but Marmion did not giv’^e him 
time to finish the sentence. He sprang straight 


A EACE IN THE DARK. 


259 


at his throat, and, before Pierre could think of 
resistance, he was flat on the ground. 

Hold fast to him, old fellow ! ” shouted 
Frank, dismounting from his horse. ‘^That 
makes amends for the cowardly manner in 
which you deserted me this morning. Archie, 
Avhere are you?^^ 

Plere ^s all that ^s left of me,^^ replied a 
faint voice. my head!^’ groaned Archie, 

as Frank knelt down by his side, and cut tlic 
ropes with which he was bound. There ^s no 
fun in being carried with railroad speed through 
a thick woods on a dark night like this. But 
I want you to understand one thing : That 
was n’t a fair race, because my horse had a 
double load to carry.” 

Frank had been astonished a good many 
times that night, but he was utterly amazed, 
now. Here was Archie, who was aching in 
every limb, and bleeding profusely from the 
wounds he had received during his rapid ride 
through the woods — who, during the last few 
hours, had been the hero of more hair-breadth 
escapes than had ever before fallen to the lot 
of a boy of his age — who had but just been 


260 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


delivered from the power of a reckless and de- 
termined foe — here he was talking about the 
speed of his horse, and declaring that the race 
the animal had just run was not a fair test of 
his abilities! 

This is a pretty time to talk about such 
things, isn’t it?” asked Frank. suppose 

you hoped that Roderick would be beaten, 
did n’t you ?” 

‘^1 can’t say that I did,” replied Archie, as 
his cousin lifted him to his feet ; but I could 
not help telling myself that if Pierre wanted 
to save himself, all he had to do was to drop 
me overboard, and he would leave you behind 
so rapidly that you would never boast of Rod- 
erick’s speed again.” 

(We may here remark that the question of 
the relative merits of the two horses remained 
for a long time undecided ; but still it was set- 
tled, at last, and to the satisfaction of both the 
boys. It was an exciting race, and a long one ; 
and the history of it shall be given in its 
proper place.) 

Archie, in spite of his wounds and bruises, 
was as lively and plucky as ever. One desire 


A RACE IN THE DARK. 


2G1 


was uppermost in his mind, now, and that was 
to effect the capture of the rubber ; but he need 
not have troubled himself on that score, for 
Pierre had already been secured. When the 
cousins reached the place where he was lying, 
they found him motionless and helpless, Mar- 
m ion’s powerful jaws being closed upon his 
throat. The dog barked and whined furiously 
when compelled to let go his hold, and it was 
all his master could do to prevent him from 
again attacking his enemy. 

Santa Maria ! ” gasped the robber, when 
he found himself free from the teeth of the 
dog. 

‘^That’s what I say,” exclaimed Archie, who, 
having removed Pierre’s sash from his waist, 
proceeded to confine his hands and feet. 
think you are at the end of your rope now, my 
hearty. You may make up your mind to start 
for your old quarters at San Diego, to-morrow 
morning, by the early train. What shall we 
do with him?” 

We ’ll leave him here until we can procure 
assistance, and come back for him,” replied 
Frank. Now, let ’s start for home.” 


262 


DON CART.OS' RANCHO. 


But for one thing, Frank and Archie would 
liave been two of the happiest boys that ever 
existed. Their wounds, their aching bones, 
the dangers they had passed through, were all 
forgotten in the joy they felt at finding them- 
selves once more in undisputed possession of 
their long-lost horses. They had much to talk 
about as they rode toward the rancho. Archie 
told Frank what had happened to him during 
his short captivity, and plumed himself on 
having been in the very midst of his enemies 
for more than seven hours (it was then long 
after midnight), and having made one prisoner 
alone and unaided, and assisted in capturing 
two more before he fell into the hands of his 
enemies. As for the misfortune that had be- 
fallen their old friend Dick Lewis, Archie 
declared that it did not trouble him in the 
least, for he knew his cousin had been mis- 
taken ; and Frank, ready to catch at straws, 
said he certainly hoped it would turn out so. 

After a fifteen minutes’ ride, the boys once 
more found themselves in the rancho, and this 
time with no fear of being made prisoners. 
The fight was over, and the settlers were in 


A RACE IN THE DARK. 


263 


full possession of the robbers’ stronghold. 
They were in a state of great excitement and 
alarm, however, for they had ransacked the 
building from top to bottom, without discov- 
ering any signs of Frank and Archie; and 
they were on the point of abandoning the 
search in despair, when the boys appeared. 
The settlers crowded about them as they rode 
into the court, shook them warmly by the 
hand, asked them a multitude of questions, 
and cheered them uproariously. Presently, 
two tall fellows, dressed in Mexican costume, 
and carrying long rifles in their hands, elbowed 
their way through the crowd. One was old 
Bob Kelly — the cousins would have recognized 
his long, white beard any where — but who was 
the other? They had seen those broad shoul- 
ders and that rifle before, but they could not 
tell who the man was, for his face was so 
badly battered and scarred that his own mother, 
if she had been there, would not have known 
him. He did not offer to shake hands with 
the boys, but dropped the butt of his rifle to 
the ground, clasped his fingers over the muzzle 
of the weapon, and said; 


2G4 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


^^You amazin’ keerless fellers! I knowed 
this mornin’ that it was my boiinden duty to 
give you a good trounciii^.” 

^^What did I tell you?” screamed Archie, 
turning triumphantly to his cousin, who opened 
his mouth and eyes, and gazed at the man in 
stupid bewilderment. 


CONCLUSION. 


2G5 


CHAPTER XVII. 

CONCLUSION. 

RECKON you don’t speak to common 
fellers any more,” continued Dick, for it 
was he, notwithstanding that Frank had told 
his cousin, in such positive language, that he 
had seen him pulled down and strangled on 
the prairie. ^^You needn’t be so tuk back, 
youngster, ’cause it’s me, an’ ’taint nobody 
else.” 

During the next few minutes the settlers, 
who were standing around, gained some idea 
of the strength of the affection the boys cher- 
ished for the trapper. They threw themselves 
from their saddles and actually embraced him ; 
and while they remained at the rancho, they 
kept close at his side, clinging to his arms as 
though they were afraid some one might try 
to take him away from them. 


266 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


Dick/’ said Frank, as soon as he 
could speak, never expected to see you 
again.” 

Youngster,” replied the trapper — and, as 
he spoke, he drew himself up to his full height, 
extended his long arms above his head, and 
doubled up a pair of fists which looked as 
though they might have knocked down an ox — 
^Sve don’t look fur nothing else — me an’ ole 
Bob do n’t — but to have our bar riz by the In- 
juns some day; but you’ll never hear tell of 
one of us bein’ rubbed out by Greasers — mark 
that. Now, I ’ve had more ’n one of them ar 
lariats over my head, but I never had one 
around my neck yet, an’ I never will. When 
I fight Mexikins, I allers look out fur them 
lassos, an’ when that feller slipped his’n over 
my head, I Avas ready fur him. I cut it with 
my knife quicker ’n he could say ^Gin’ral Jack- 
son,’ with his mouth open. As I riz to my 
feet, I see that the other feller was purty dost 
to me, an’ I knocked him out of his saddle 
with my tomahawk, as clean as a whistle. 
Thar was n’t but one left then, an’ he was n’t 
no ’count, fur his lasso was ruined; an’, with- 


CONCLUSION. 


267 


out that weapon, a Mexikin aint a thing fur a 
ten year ole boy to be afeared of. He tuk to 
his heels, an’ so did I ; an’ here I am.” 

To Archie, who had fully expected to see the 
trapper again, alive and well, this story of his 
escape seemed probable enough ; but to Frank, 
who had seen him, as he believed, powerless 
in the midst of his enemies, it seemed almost 
incredible. Many a time, during the next 
three or four days, it was noticed that he 
earnestly regarded the trapper as if he had not 
quite made up his mind that he was the gen- 
uine Dick Lewis after all. 

I say, youngsters,” said Bob, when the 
trapper ceased speaking, I ’ve found out what 
it was that skeered me so bad, that night.” 

^^An’ he was skeered at jest nothing at all,” 
exclaimed Dick. I reckon the ole feller feels 
the least bit ashamed of himself. If he don’t, 
he had oughter.” 

The trappers, followed by the boys and a 
few of the settlers, led the way to a recess in 
the wall opposite the gate. The only articles 
in this recess that attracted the attention of the 
cousins, were a huge roll of canvas, and a post 


2G8 


DON OARLOS’ RANCHO. 


wliicli supported a locomotive lamp. The face 
of this lamp Avas not turned toward the court, 
but outAvard, toAvard the Avail. 

I told you, youngsters,” said Dick, that 
the walls of this yere rancho are five foot thick ; 
and so they be, in every place except this. 
Eight thar is a door. It canT be seed from 
the outside, nor from the inside, nuther ; but 
it’s thar.” 

Frank kneAV there was a door somewhere 
about there, for he had followed the settlers 
through it ; but he could not tell Avhere it was 
now, for the Avail appeared to be as solid there 
as any where else. The trapper kneAV where to 
look for it, hoAvever, and Avhen he placed his 
hands upon the wall, one of the stones began 
to move. One end moved outward, and the 
other iuAvard, shoAving that the stone worked 
upon a pivot in the center. The opening thus 
made was about six feet long, and a foot high. 

Humph!” exclaimed Archie. ^^I’d like 
to see a man on horseback go through that 
little hole.” 

‘^Easy, easy,” replied the trapper. I haint 
got done yet.” 


CONCLUSION. 


269 


The door was composed of at least a half a 
dozen stones (one above the other, some longer, 
and some shorter, in order to break joints’^ 
in the wall), and when they had all been moved 
from their places, two openings were formed, 
the stones being in the middle of the doorway, 
one end pointing toward the creek, and the 
other toward the court. The space on each 
side was amply sufficient to admit of the pas- 
sage of a horseman. 

‘^You know ole Bob said, that arter them 
two fellers crossed the creek, they rid up the 
bridge of clouds, an^ went through the wall of 
the rancho,^^ remarked Dick. ^^Wal, they 
did nT, ^cause they went in at the door. Bob 
swum the creek, an’ hunted high an’ low fur 
the door, but could n’t find it ; an’ that ’s what 
skeered him.” 

From the door, the boys turned their atten- 
tion to the bundle of canvas before spoken of. 
It was neatly rolled up, and in the middle 
was a stick of round wood, to each end of 
which was fastened a small wheel, with a deep 
groove in the circumference. In each of these 
grooves was a rope, about the size of a clothes- 


270 


DON CARLOS RANCHO. 


line, which was passed once around the wheel, 
and the longer end of which was coiled down 
on the ground, so that it would run out rap- 
idly. The trappers pushed the canvas outside 
the door, made the shorter ends of the ropes 
fast to two rings in the wall, which seemed to 
have been placed there for that especial pur- 
pose, then gave the canvas a push, and it went 
rolling down the bank toward the creek. 
When it reached the water’s edge it had all 
run out, and of course it stopped. The strong 
breeze that was blowing gave to it a gentle 
undulating motion, and this it w’as that the 
old trapper had compared to the rolling and 
tumbling of the smoke from the mouth of a 
cannon.” This was the bridge of clouds; and 
what a simple thing it was to have frightened 
a man like Bob so badly ! The old veteran 
evidently thought so, for he leaned on his rifle 
and looked foolish enough. When the settlers 
had laughed at him to their satisfaction, he 
and Dick seized the ropes, and hauling in hand- 
over-hand, rolled up the canvas without going 
outside the door. 

^^Well! well!” exclaimed Archie. Frank 


CONCLUSION. 


271 


and I watched this thing as closely as ever two 
cats watched a mouse, and we couldn’t begin 
to see through it. It’s all plain enough now; 
but how about the boat?” 

The trapper replied that he would soon show 
them all about that ; and picking up a lantern, 
led the way into the underground portion of 
the rancho. After threading numerous pas- 
sage-ways, and turning several corners, he ush- 
ered them into an apartment that might have 
been called the engine-room, for it contained 
the power that had propelled the flatboat so 
rapidly. It was not an engine, however, but 
a windlass, something like those used for mov- 
ing houses. It was plain that it had been 
worked by horses, for there were prints of hoofs 
all over the floor. 

The next thing was to find the boat; and 
that could be easily done by following the 
rope which was attached to the windlass. The 
rope led them through a long narrow passage- 
way, and when they arrived at the end of it, 
Dick opened a small door, about the height of 
his head from the floor, and the boys climbed 
up and found the boat before them. It was 


272 


DON CARLOS^ RANCHO. 


sniigly hidden in a little cove, which had been 
dug into the bank, and walled up with stones 
to prevent it from caving in. The mouth of 
the covc/was so effectually concealed by thick 
bushes, that a fleet might have sailed along 
the creek without discovering it. In the bow 
of the boat was a bundle of canvas, like the 
one already described, only it was much 
smaller ; and the ropes with which it was 
rolled up were attached to a horizontal wind- 
lass, so that they could be controlled by one 
man. 

The trappers and some of the settlers fol- 
lowed the boys into the boat, and assisted them 
in pushing it out of the cove. Frank got out 
the oar, and sculled it across, and, when it 
reached the opposite shore, Dick seized the 
canvas and ran up the bank with it, ^he canvas 
unrolling itself as he went. 

It ’s all plain enough now,’^ repeated 
Archie; ^^but it seems to me that the Don 
put himself to a good deal of trouble for 
nothing.” 

^^I think he managed affairs just about 
right,” said one of the settlers. ^^The object 


CONCLUSION. 


273 


of this canvas is to conceal the trail. When 
my horses were stolen, I followed them very 
easily for a while, but lost the scent about a 
hundred yards from the bank of this creek. 
That must have been the place where they 
got on the canvas. Of course they left no 
more trail, and I could nT follow them any 
farther.'' 

^^But I don't see why it is necessary to 
have this boat moved by a windlass," said 
Frank. If one man could bring it over 
here, what 's the reason he could n't take it 
back ? " 

^^That can also be easily explained," replied 
the settler. ^^The current in the creek is so 
strong that one man can't scull the boat 
straight across. It makes no difference where 
he lands on this side, because he brings his 
canvas with him, and can put it out any where ; 
but the canvas on the other side is stationary, 
you know, and the boat must be stopped at 
one particular place, so that the horsemen can 
get out on it." 

^^Oh, I see," said Frank. 

Thar's another thing that mobbe the 

18 


274 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


comp’ny would like to know something about/’ 
said Dick. ^^Arter we come back from that 
bar hunt this mornin’, I went out to tend to 
some cattle, an’ seed these yere two keerless 
fellers go into Don Carlos’ rancho. I hung 
round \vatchin’ the house, ’cause I kind o’ 
thought that mebbe something was agoin’ to 
happen, an’ that’s the way I come to be in the 
woods when Frank an’ them Greasers had that 
race. An’ fellers,” added Dick, turning to the 
settlers, seed the hul of that ar runnin’ 
match, an’ I never in my life seed a boy pick 
up his feet quicker ’n Frank did. I’ll match 
him agin any boss in Californy. I was goin’ 
to say, that arter I got licked by them Greasers, 
an’ seed that Frank was ketched an’ tuk to the 
rancho ” 

Frank, at this point, begged pardon for in- 
terrupting Dick, and told him that he had not 
then been taken to the rancho, but was carried 
to the mountains by Pierre Costello. This an- 
nouncement created great excitement among 
the settlers, and it was increased wonderfully, 
when Archie said that they had left Pierre in 
the woods, a prisoner. 


I 


C!ONCLUSION. 275 

^^Who tuk him prisoner?” demanded the 
trapper. 

Archie and I, and Marmion/’ replied 
Frank. 

Fellers!’^ exclaimed Dick, who seemed to 
be utterly confounded, do n’t this yere night’s 
work beat any thing you ever hearn tell on ? 
If any of you know of two boys that can lay 
over them ar youngsters of mine, jest trot ’em 
out; I’d like mighty well to see ’em. But 
they haint been born yet, an’ never will be.” 

The trapper pounded the ground with the 
butt of his rifle, gazed proudly at the boys, 
and went on with his explanation. 

I seed that Frank was ketched agin,” said 
he, ^^an’ knowin’ that I couldn’t do nothing 
more by myself, I rid hum an’ told ole Bob 
what had been goin’ on ; an’ him an’ Carlos, 
an’ a few other herdsmen whom we knowed 
we could trust, set out to bring the settlers 
together, while I come back to watch the ran- 
cho. In an hour’s time we had a hundred men 
here in the bushes. 

^^The fust thing to be done was to study up 
a plan to get into the rancho. We knowed 


276 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


we could n’t whip the Greasers while they were 
inside the house, an’ we outside — we must get 
inside too ; an’ that could only be done by 
takin’ them by surprise. While we were talk- 
in’ the matter over, up come two Mexikins 
b’longin’ to the band, who had been out some- 
where stealin’ bosses. They run right among 
us afore they knowed it, an’ it was the easiest 
thing in the world fur us to captur’ ’em, an’ 
make ’em tell us all we wanted to know. 
Arter a leetle talk it was decided that me an’ 
ole Bob should take the place of the Mexikins, 
an’ go into the rancho ; an’, that while we 
were goin’ in, the settlers should swim the 
creek, an’ get ready to make the attack. Me 
an’ Bob were to give ’em time to get dost up 
under the walls, an’ then open the door, an’ 
the settlers would rush in an’ make pris’ners 
of the robbers afore they knowed it. 

^^Wal, we swapped clothes with them ar two 
dirty Greasers — me an’ ole Bob did — mounted 
Boderick an’ King Jeemes, tuk the two stolen 
bosses by the bridle, crossed the creek on the 
flatboat, went up that ar canvas tjiing that 
Bob called the bridge of clouds, an’ rid straight 


CONCLUSION. 


277 


into the rancho — just as though we had a right 
thar — an^ nobody didn’t suspect that we wasn’t 
real Greasers. We seed a few men arter we 
got into the house, but none on ’em had a 
word to say, or even looked at us. The fellers 
who hauled up the bridge shut the door an’ 
went off about their business, leavin’ me an’ 
Bob to ’tend to our’n ; which we did, I reckon. 
We jumped off our bosses, an’ opened the door 
agin ; an’ the settlers come pourin’ in. Every 
thing worked jest as we had planned it.” 

There was one mystery that remained to be 
explained, and that was the signal made by 
the flag. The boys afterward found out all 
about it from one of the prisoners. The rob- 
bers, knowing that they were not suspected, 
had become very bold; and horses which had 
been stolen at a distance, were not unfrequently 
brought into the rancho in broad daylight. 
The flag flying at the mast-head, signified that 
the coast was clear, and that the animals could 
be safely brought in. When the flag was 
not to be seen, it was understood that there 
were strangers about ; and, in that case, the 
horses were concealed in the woods until dark, 


278 


DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


when they were brought in through the secret 
door. 

During the next three hours the boys, in 
company with the trappers, explored every 
nook and corner of the rancho. Archie first 
led them to the stable, to show them his pris- 
oner; but, when they got there, they found 
that Beppo was gone. He had been discovered 
and released by some of the band, and in the 
confusion attending the attack, had made good 
his escape. From the stable they went to the 
Don’s reception-room ; and while they were 
examining the painting of the Indian warrior, 
Archie entertained them with a glowing ac- 
count of his discovery of the spring, and the 
adventures which had resulted from it. After 
that they went to the secret room, from which 
they had made their escape through the scuttle, 
and spent an hour in trying to find the place 
where the Don had got out. But their efforts 
were unsuccessful ; and being particularly de- 
sirous to have the mystery solved, they went 
in search of the chief, whom they found lying 
in one corner of the court securely bound. To 
their request that he would explain the matter, 


CONCLUSION. 


279 


he replied that it was ^^one grand swindle,” 
and that was all they could get out of him* 
The manner of his escape from that room was 
a secret that never was revealed. 

While the boys were thus engaged, the set- 
tlers and their herdsmen were busying them- 
selves in removing various articles of value 
from the building, such as provisions, weapons, 
ammunition, and bales of goods; and at day- 
light a long string of wagons, and a longer 
string of mounted men, crossed the creek, and 
slowly wended their way toward the settlement. 
Just as the cavalcade entered the woods, huge 
volumes of flames burst from the doors and 
windows of the rancho, and in a few hours 
nothing but blackened and crumbling ruins re- 
mained to mark the spot whereon had stood 
the robbers’ stronghold. 

It was breakfast time when Frank and 
Archie reached home, but they went to bed 
immediately, and slept until long after mid- 
night. When they awoke, they felt very sen- 
sibly the effects of the rough treatment they 
had received; and when Uncle James arrived 
two days afterward, he found them with their 


280 


BON CARLOS’ RANCHO. 


heads tied up, Frank with his arm in a sling, 
and Archie hobbling around with a cane. But 
then they had covered themselves with glory. 
They had shot Old Davy, and assisted in 
breaking up the robber band, and no general 
ever felt prouder of his victories than the boys 
did over these exploits. The story of their 
adventures is, however, not yet complete. Ac- 
cording to arrangement, they accompanied Cap- 
tain Porter on his trading expedition ; and 
what they saw, and what they did while they 
were gone, shall be told in Frank in the 
Mountains.” 


THE END. 


CARROLL’S 


NEW JUVENILE CATALOGUE. 


R. "W. CARROLL & CO. would call the attention of par- 
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CAEROLL^S NEW JUVENILE CATALOGUE. ' 


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Little Agnes, I Ml Try, 

Trying to be Useful, Art and Artlessness. 

PLAY AND STUDY SERIES FOR BOYS. 

* 4 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 6.00 

Motherless Children, Play and Study, 

Howard and Teacher, Jack, the Chimney Sweep. 


MINNIE AND HER PETS. 

6 vols., illustrated. 4.50 

Minnie’s Pet Parrot, Minnie’s Pet Pony, 

Minnie’s Pet Cat, Minnie’s Pet Lamb, 

Minnie’s Pet Dog, Minnie’s Pet Monkey. 


NETTIE LIGHTFOOT SERIES. By Mrs. Barbauld 
and Mrs. Edgeworth. 12 vols., 24mo. 4.20 


Alphabet and Picture Book, 
Lessons for Children, 

Mrs. Barbanld’s Stories, 
Little Marian, 

Little Thomas, 

Useful Little Stories, 


Willy, or the Happy Day, 
Lazy Lawrence, 

Waste Not, Want Not, 
Little Poems, 

The Floweret, 

Little Tot’s Book. 


ROSA ABBOTT STORIES. By Rosa Abbott. 

^ 6 vols., illustrated. 6.00 

Jack of all Trades, Upside Down, 

Alexis, tlie Kunaway, Young Detective, 

Tommy Hickup, Piuks and Blues. 


LITTLE ANNA STORIES. 

^ 6 vols., illustrated. 4.50 

Little Anna, Estelle’s Stories about Dogs, 

Alice Leamont, The Cheerful Heart, 

A Thousand a Year, The Little Helper. 

LITTLE JACKET STORIES. 

3 vols., small quarto, illustrated. 3.75 

Eobbletozo. Last of the Huggermuggers. 

King of the Golden River. 


ROSY DIAMOND STORY BOOKS, FOR GIRLS. 

6 vols., illustrated. 4.80 

Great Rosy Diamond, Minnie, the Little Woman, 

Daisy, or. Fairy Spectacles, The Angel Children, 

Violet. A Fairy Story, Little Blossom’s Reward. 

VACATION STORY BOOKS. For Boys and Girls. 

* 6 vols., illustrated. 4.80 

Worth, not Wealth, Karl Keigler, 

Country Life, Walter Seyton, 

The Charm, Holidays at Chestnut Hill. 


CARROLL’S NEW JUYENILE CATALOGUE, 


5 


PRICK 

SUNNYBANK STORIES. By Rev. Asa Bullard. 

* 6 vols., 32mo., illustrated, $1.50 

Uncle Henry’s Stories, Annt Lizzie’s Stories, 

Dog Stories. Mother’s Stories, 

Stories for Alice, Grandpa’s Stories. 

SHADY DELL STORIES. By Rev. Asa Bullard. 

^ 6 vols., 32nio., illustrated. 1.50 

My Teacher’s Gem, The Good Scholar, 

Scholar’s Welcome, The Light-house, 

Going to School, Reward of Merit. 

TINY LIBRARY. 

4 vols., boards. Colored, per dozen, 1.50 

Little Rhymes, Little Stories, 

Picture Stories, History of Birds. 


THE PROVERB SERIES. By Mrs. Bradley, sister 

^ of “ Cousin Alice.” 6 vols., illustrated. 6.00 

Fine Feathers do not make Fine Birds. 

Birds of a Feather. 

Actions Speak Louder than Words. 

A Wrong Confessed is Half Redressed. 

Least Said, Soonest Mended. 

Evil Communications Corrupt Good Manners. 


GOLDEN TRUTH SERIES. 

^ 4to., tinted paper, per vol., 2.00 

Golden Truths, Words of Hope. 

CROSS AND CROWN SERIES, ^ Per vol., 1.50 

Life’s Quiet Hours, 

Life’s Morning, for Young Christians; 

Life’s Evening, for Aged Christians. 


THE AGNES STRICKLAND LIBRARY. 
^ 4 vols., 16mo., fully illustrated. 


An excellent set of books. 


Stories from History, 

Tales from English History, 

True Stories from Ancient History, 
True Stories from Modern History. 


5.00 


THE LINDENDALE STORIES. By Lawrence Lanee- 
* wood. 5 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 6.25 

Sidney de Grey, Louis Sinclair, 

Nellie Warren, Cousin Clara, 

Peter Clifton. 


6 


CABROLL^S NEW JUVENILE CATALOGUE, 


PEICB 

•THE LESLIE STORIES. By Mrs. Madeline Leslie. 

The five volumes in a neat box, $5.00 

Earning and Spending, Never Give Up, 

Up the Ladder, Worth and Wealth, 

Secret of Success. \ 


THE GYPSY SERIES. By Miss Phelps. 

^ 4 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 5.00 


Gypsy Breynton, Gypsy’s Sowing and Heaping, 

Gypsy’s Cousin Joy, Gypsy at the Golden Crescent. 

THE ELMWOOD SERIES. 

* 4 vols. 16mo. 5.00 

Mill Agent, Out 

Horace Welford, The 


of Prison, 
Huntingdons. 


THE BROOKSIDE SERIES. By Aunt Hattie. 

^ 4 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 5,00 

The Hole in the Pocket, Lost but Found, 

Stopping the Leak, Fashion and Folly. 


AUNT HATTIE’S LIBRARY FOR GIRLS. 

* 6 vols., 18mo., illustrated. 3.00 

Lillie’s Birthday, Maggie and the Mice, 

The Sheep and Lambs, The Lost Kittle, 

Little Miss Fret, Ida’s New Shoes. 


AUNT HATTIE’S LIBRARY FOR BOYS. 

* 6 vols., 18mo., illustrated. 

Apple Boys, Frankie’s Dog Tony 

The Chest of Tools, Golden Rule, 

Factory Boy, Lying Jim. 




3.00 


LAKESIDE SERIES. 

3 vols. 16mo. 

Luke Darrell, Mabel Ross, 

Broken Pitcher. 


4.50 


SWEET-CLOVER STORIES. By Mrs. C. L. May. 

* 3 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 3.75 

Brownie Sandford, Sylvia’s Burden, 

Nellie Milton’s Housekeeping. 


LITTLE PITCHER STORIES. By Mrs. C. L. May. 

^ 3 vols., 18mo., illustrated. 2.25 

Four Little Pitchers, Berti’s Telegraph, 

Uncle Barney’s Fortune. 


THE CASKET LIBRARY. By Rev. Z. A. Mudge. 

* 6 vols. 18mo. 3.00 

Right and About Right, The Forest Boy, 

Home and No Home, A Will and a Way, 

English Harry, George Perley’s Lesson. 


CABTIOLL^S NEW JUVENILE CATALOGUE, 


7 


PRICE 

LITTLE WILLIE’S LIBRARY. 

^ 6 vols. 32mo. $1.50 

Charley’s Locket, Will and the Donkey, 

Younff Bird-Catchers, The Woolly Bear, 

The Picture Clock, Willful Walter. 

LITTLE MAGGIE’S LIBRARY. 

* 6 vols. 32mo. 1.50 

Little Maggie, Six Mince Pies, 

The Pet Sparrow. Ripe Strawberries, 

Susie’s Victory, The Silk Apron. 

SILVER LAKE SE_RIES. 

* 3 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 4.60 

Truth and Trust, Hopes and Fears, 

Good for Evil. 


GLEN MORRIS STORIES. 

5 vols. 16mo. 6.00 

Guy Carlton, Jessie Carlton, 

Dick Duncan, Walter Sherwood, 

Kate Carlton. 

THE RAINFORD SERIES. 

* 4 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 6.00 

Gilbert Starr and his Lessons, Will Rood’s Friendship, 

Gilbert’s Last Summer at Ramford, Jack Arcombe. 


THE ARLINGTON SERIES. 

* 4 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 6.00 

One-Armed Hugh, Boys at Dr. Murray’s, 

SVheel of Fortune, The Deserted Mill. 

THE PERCY FAMILY. By Rev. D. C. Eddy. 

* 5 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 5.00 

Visit to Ireland, Paris to Amsterdam, 

England aud Scotland, Baltic to Vesuvius, 

The Alps and the Rhine 

THE CEDAR BROOK STORIES. 

^ 5 vols., 18mo., illustrated. 3.50 

Little Seed-Sowers, Seed Bearing Fruit, 

Seed Growing, Sowing in New Fields, 

Frank Gone to the War. 


KOLLO’S TOUR IN EUROPE. By Jacob Abbott. 

^ 10 vols., fully illustrated. 9.00 


Kollo on the .Atlantic, 
Rollo in Paris, 

Rollo in Switzerland, 
Kollo in Lonilon, 
Rollo on the Rhine, 


Rollo 

Rollo 

Rollo 

Kollo 

Rollo 


in Scotland, 
in Geneva, 
in Holland, 
in Naples, 
in Rome. 


8 


CAHROLL^S NEW JUVENILE CATALOGUE. 


PKiCH 

THE KOLLO BOOKS. By Jacob Abbott. 

^ 14 vols., illustrated, uniform style, 16mo. $12.60 

14 vols., uniform style, 18mo., cheap edition. 8.75 

Rollo Learning to Talk, Jiollo’s Museum, 

Kollo Learning to Keau, Kollo’s Travels, 

Kollo at Work, Kollo’s Correspondence, 

Kollo at Play, Kollo’s Philosophy, Water, 

Kollo at School, Kollo’s Philosophy, Air, 

Kollo’s Vacation, - Kollo’s Philosophy, Fire, 

Kollo’s Experiments, Kollo’s Philosophy, Sky. 


THE KOLLO STOKY-BOOKS. By Jacob Abbott. 

* 12 vols., 18mo, illustrated. 4.00 


Trouble on the Mountain, 
Causey Building, 

Apple Gathering, 

The Two Wheelbarrows, 
Blueberrying, 

The Freshet, 


Georgie, 

Rollo in the Woods, 
Kollo’s Garden, 

The Steeple Trap, 
Labor Lost, 

Lucy’s Visit. 


THE SPECTACLE SEKIES FOK YOUNG EYES. 
^ By Sarah W. Lander. 8 vols., elegantly illustrated. 8.00 
Boston, Moscow, Pekin, Berlin, 

Zurich, Rome, St. Petersburg. Eew lork. 


THE FLOKENCE STOKIES. By Jacob Abbott. 

^ 6 vols., 16mo., illustrated, gilt back, per set. 6.00 

Florence and John, Grimkie, 

The Orkne^' Islands, The English Channel, 

The Isle of Wight, Florence’s Return. 

WALTEK’S TOUK IN THE EAST. By D. C. Eddy. 
' * 16mo., illustrated. 5.40 

Walter in Egypt, Walter in Damascus, 

Walter in Jerusalem Walter in Constantinople, 

W alter in Samaria, Walter in Athens. 

AMEKICAN HISTOKY. By Jacob Abbott. 

^ 8 vols., 16mo., illustrated. 10.00 

Aboriginal America, Discovery of America, 

The Southern Colonies, The Northern Colonies, 

The Wars of the Colonies, Revolt of the Colonies, 

The War of the Revolution, Washington. 


AKTHUK’S HOME STOKIES, 

Hf; 6 vols : New series, 3 vols., illustrated. 3 vols., 16mo., 
illustrated. ^ 3.00 

Hidden Wings, Sowing the Wind, 

Sunshine at Home. 


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